noon
And , with his knees drawn up into his arms , he prepared for his long vigil . It was the posting of the night sentry over Scipio 's twins . Wild Bill stretched himself drowsily . It was noon . He knew that by the position of the patch of sunlight on the floor , which he gazed at with blinking eyes . Presently he reached out his long arms and clasped his hands behind his head . He lay there on his stretcher bed , still very sleepy , but with wakefulness gaining ascendancy rapidly .