There, sitting sociably on my sleeping-bag was a great black tarantula, as large as my hand.
For one still moment, notwithstanding my contempt for Lawson's advice, I certainly acted upon it to the letter.

If ever I was quiet, and if ever I was cold, the time was then.

My companions snored in blissful ignorance of my plight.

Slight rustling sounds attracted my wary gaze from the old black sentinel on my knee.

I saw other black spiders running to and fro on the silver, sandy floor.