Mr. Hardy chatted apart for some time with the Gauchos, anxious to
know as much as possible of the country into which he was entering.
The others chatted and told stories. Presently Mr. Hardy joined
again in the general conversation, and then, during a pause, said,
"Although, my friends, I consider it most improbable that any
Indians are in the neighborhood, still it is just possible that
they may have remained, on purpose to fall at night upon any party
who might venture to pursue. At any rate, it is right to begin our
work in a businesslike way. I therefore propose that we keep
watches regularly. It is now nine o'clock. We shall be moving by
five: that will make four watches of two hours each. I should say
that three men in a watch, stationed at fifty yards from the camp
upon different sides would suffice."
There was a general assent to the proposal.
"To save trouble," Mr. Hardy went on, "I suggest that we keep watch
in the alphabetical order of our names. Twelve of us will be on
to-night, and the next twelve to-morrow night."
The proposal was at once agreed to; and the three who were first on
duty at once rose, and, taking their rifles, went off in various
directions, first agreeing that one of them should give a single
whistle as a signal that the watch was up, and that two whistles
close together would be a warning to retreat at once toward the
center.
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