two in the evening
But you must remember that they are worth from twelve to fourteen shillings a couple , and what with the natives , and what with soldiers off duty , you would find that a good many would not turn up at all , unless they were watched . A couple of boys , at sixpence a day each , would keep them from straying too far , and prevent their being stolen , and would relieve you of a lot of anxiety about them . '' So , after this , the fowls were turned out on to the Rock ; where they wandered about , narrowly watched by two native boys , and were able to gather no small store of sustenance from the insects they found among the rocks , or on the low shrubs that grew among them . Bob had , after his return from his cruise , fallen into his former habits ; spending two hours every morning with Don Diaz , and reading for an hour or two in the evening with the doctor . It was now cool enough for exercise and enjoyment , in the day ; and there were few afternoons when he did not climb up to the top of the Rock , and watch the Spanish soldiers labouring at their batteries , and wondering when they were going to begin to do something . Occasionally they obtained news of what was passing in the enemy 's lines , and the Spaniards were equally well informed of what was going on in the fortress , for desertions from both sides were not infrequent . Sometimes a soldier with the working parties , out in the neutral ground , would steal away and make for the Spanish lines ; pursued by a musketry fire from his comrades , and saluted , perhaps , with a round or two of shot from the batteries above .