Three men watched, to be relieved in middle night by other three who now slept.

A muleteer named Rodrigo and Juan Lepe and the young merchant took the first turn.
The first two sat on one side of the fire and the young merchant on the other.
The muleteer remained sunken in a great cloak, his chin on his arms folded upon his knees, and what he saw in the land within I cannot tell.
But the young merchant was of a quick disposition and presently must talk.

For some distance around us spread bare earth set only with shrubs and stones.

Also the rising moon gave light, and with that and our own strength we did not truly look for any attack.

We sat and talked at ease, though with lowered voices, Rodrigo somewhere away and the rest of the picture sleeping.