puzzling and exciting lark than usual.

He shook his head. 'Thanks very much for the offer, but we can manage.'

Davey said: 'But we've been working it out. It doesn't matter that we can't shoot properly as long as we can keep awake and make a noise if we see anyone. We can do that.'

John said: 'The best thing you three can do is not to stay awake talking after supper. Get to sleep as quickly as possible. We're up early in the morning, and we've got a stiff climb and a long day to face.'

He had spoken lightly enough, and in the old days Davey would have argued strenuously on the point. Now he only glanced at the other two boys in resignation, and they went off together to look at the river.

They all had supper together, Pirrie having come down from the line with a report of emptiness as far as the eye could see. Afterwards, John appointed the hours of sentry duty for the night.

Roger said: 'You're not counting Jane in?'

He thought Roger was joking at first, and laughed.

Then he saw, to his astonishment, that it had been a serious question.

'No,' he said. 'Not tonight.'

The girl was sitting close to Olivia; she had not strayed far from her all day. John had heard them talking together during the afternoon, and had heard Jane laughing once. She glanced up at the two men, her fresh, somewhat fat-cheeked face open and inquiring.

'You wouldn't murder us in our beds, would you, Jane?' Roger asked her.

She shook her head solemnly.

John said to her: 'Well, it's best not to give you the chance, isn't it?'

She turned away, but it was in embarrassment, he saw, not hatred.

He said: 'It's Ann's first watch. The rest of us had