They were much more wide-awake than the men, if the latter could be said to be awake at all.
The next thing was to fortify the priest's house, which seemed the most suitable for our purpose.

I strengthened the wall with stays, repaired the old _trabuco_, which was almost as big as a small cannon, and made ready for barricading the doors and windows on the first alarm.
This done, there was nothing for it but to wait with what patience I might, and kill time as I best could.

I walked about, fished in the river, and talked with Fray Ignacio.

I would have gone out shooting, for there was plenty of game in the neighborhood, only that I had to reserve my ammunition for more serious work.
For the present, at least, my idea of exploring the Andes appeared to be quite out of the question.

I should require both mules and guides, and I had no money either to buy the one or to pay the other.
And so the days went monotonously on until it seemed as if I should have to remain in this valley surnamed Happy for the term of my natural life, and I grew so weary withal that I should have regarded a big earthquake as a positive god-send.