the hour of ten
The result of it all was that the two decided that they must stand guard between them until the sun rose . On such occasions the sentinel whose turn comes first has the preferable task , since every one will admit that it is easier to keep awake before midnight than afterward . The division was made more equitable by arranging that Jack Dudley should serve until two o'clock , and Fred Greenwood for the remainder of the morning . Before the hour of ten the younger lay down on the flinty floor , with his heavy blanket gathered around him , and sank into slumber . They had matched pennies for the first turn , else the elder would not have claimed it . Jack found his duty similar in many respects to that of his first night on the prairie , but the surroundings and circumstances were in wide contrast . In the former instance they had the companionship of the cowman and veteran hunter , while now they could not know whether he was within a half-dozen miles of them .