Evangelist Blank slept in a tent, which had been pitched near the brush arbor.

Several such tents had been pitched by Jake Benton and other neighbors, who, finding it ill convenient to go to and from the meeting each night, had decided to run it somewhat on the camp-meeting plan.
On the particular night of which we have been speaking, Evangelist Blank from some cause unknown to him was awakened shortly after midnight.

Not being able to resume sleep, he thought to improve even the midnight time by musing on the goodness of God.

As he lay thus gazing through the thin canvas of his tent at the moon, which was now a two hour's journey in the sky, he was startled by the sight of a man's shadow on the side of the tent.

He lay still and listened.