Obed looked at him approvingly.
"You're setting a good example, Ned," he said, "and I'll follow it." He too ate, and then took a satisfactory drink from his water bottle.
Meanwhile the sun was setting in a cloudless sky, and both noticed with satisfaction that it would be a clear night.

Eyes, trained like theirs, could see even in the dusk an enemy trying to creep upon them.
"Do you think you could sleep a while, Ned ?" said Obed, persuasively.
"Of course, I'll awake you at the first alarm, if the alarm itself doesn't do it.

Sleep knits us up for the fray, and a man always wants to be at his best when he goes into battle." "How could a fellow sleep now ?" "Only the brave and resolute can do it," replied Obed, cunningly.
"Napoleon slept before Austerlitz, and while no Austerlitz is likely to happen down here in the wilderness of Northern Mexico there is nothing to keep those who are able from copying a great man." The appeal to Ned's pride was not lost.
"I think I'll try it," he said.
He lay down behind the log with his rifle by his side, and closed his eyes.

He had no idea that he could go to sleep, but he wished to show Obed his calmness in face of danger.

Yet he did sleep, and he did not awaken until Obed's hand fell upon his shoulder.