"To-morrow by this time ye shall be safe for ever from the talons of yon cursed hawk." Then, bidding my men draw up the gate and dispose themselves for the night, I took up my post by the door, and waited patiently for the morning.
My men were soon snoring, for we had travelled hard and long.

But sleep was never further from my eyes.

As I sat there, listening to the rising wind in the trees, and the rush of the river below, with now and again the wail of a sea-bird crying out seaward, I grew to hate the darkness.
Despite the fair innocents who slumbered within and the sturdy rogues who slept without, the loneliness of the place took hold upon me, and made me uneasy and anxious.

Once I thought I heard returning footsteps without, and rushed to the gate.

But it was only a creaking of the trees.