Sitting up he listened, and came to the conclusion that the professor had upset some piece of furniture, for he could hear him distinctly moving about in a stealthy manner, as if on tip-toe, giving vent to a grumble of dissatisfaction every now and then.
"What _can_ he be up to now, I wonder ?" murmured the disturbed youth, sleepily.
The hermit, who slept through all noises with infantine simplicity, made no answer, but a peculiar snort from the negro, who lay not far off on his other side, told that he was struggling with a laugh.
"Hallo, Moses! are you awake ?" asked Nigel, in a low voice.
"Ho yes, Massa Nadgel.

I's bin wakin' a good while, larfin fit to bu'st my sides.

De purfesser's been agoin' on like a mad renoceros for more 'n an hour.

He's arter suthin, which he can't ketch.

Listen! You hear 'im goin' round an' round on his tip-toes.