The heat from the fire was still great, but it would die down after a while, and the October air was nipping.

Henry usually fell asleep in a very few minutes, but this time, despite his long exertions and lack of rest, he remained awake when his comrades were sound asleep.

Then he fell into a drowsy state, in which he saw the fire rising in great black coils that united far above.

It seemed to Henry, half dreaming and forecasting the future, that the Indian spirit was passing in the smoke.
When he fell asleep it was nearly daylight, and in three or four hours he was up again, as the little army intended to march at once upon another Indian town.

The hours while he slept had passed in silence, and no Indians had come near.