Then he slipped noiselessly to the ground and disappeared in the profound darkness at the back of the hut.

For an hour longer the peace of the camp was unbroken.

At the end of that time one of the horses snorted more loudly than usual, while the other dropped heavily to the ground as though lying down.
After awhile, if Ridge had been awake, he might have noted a slight rustling in the grass, as though some animal were making a cautious way through it towards the hut.

But his slumber was too profound to be easily broken, and no instinct warned him of approaching danger.
The rustling drew closer, until it sounded within a few feet of the unconscious sleeper.

Then a black bulk slowly lifted from the ground, and gradually assumed the proportions of a man standing motionless.