After looking at the book a while, Charlie’s mind was so peopled with ferocious giants, Indians on the war-path, fire-breathing dragons, and ghostly genii, that he transferred them to all the corners of the room, and especially to that receptacle of shadows, the space under the table, the very place where his legs were—­ugh!  Charlie did not like to look at the book, and, dared not, at the forms under the table!  He shut the book and he shut his eyes.  Hark, the clock was saying “Cheer up!” and somebody in the lane fired a pistol that seemed to say, “Wake up!” Yes, yes, that was all right, Charlie thought, but—­but—­he guessed he would close his eyes just this once—­and close them just this once—­and close them just this once—­and in a few minutes the champion watchman was fast asleep!  In an hour the clock struck again, and its voice seemed harsh, as if saying, “Young man, young man, wake up!” The notes had no startling effect on Charlie.  Indeed, he heard them only as a very sweet, musical voice.  The pistols and cannons going off in Water Street reached his ear as mild little pops.  Things went on in this way till morning.  About five Charlie dropped on the floor the book of Indians and dragons, that patiently had been resting in his lap all night.  It roused him.  He partially opened his eyes.  Before him was an opened door that led into the parlor, and, sitting in his chair, he could see the parlor windows, whose curtains were up and whose panes were brightened by the light in the eastern sky.  What did he see at those windows?  Had some of the Indians, imagined to be under Charlie’s table, gone to the outside of the windows, there to look in, grinning at him and shaking their head-feathers at a boy stupidly sitting near a table on which was a lighted lamp?  Charlie rubbed his eyes for a better look, then rubbed again and again, and—­and—­were those Indians shouting, “Charlie, how are you?” He now sprang to his feet, fully awake, and there were several members of the club, their faces streaked with red chalk, their caps ornamented with all kinds of feathers, their—­Charlie did not take another look at their decorations!  He only glanced at the clock, exclaimed, “Five o’clock!  Whew!” seized his cap, and rushed out-doors.

“Wake up, Charlie!  Wake up, Charlie!” was the greeting of his comrades.

“Whew, fellers, aint this cheeky?” inquired Charlie.

“I should think it was—­in you.  Did your nap refresh you?” asked Sid.

“Why didn’t you come round and wake me up?” said the governor.

“And me?” said Billy.

“And me?” said Pip.

“And me?” said Tony.

“You see—­you see,” replied Charlie, “I overslept.”

“That is,” said Sid, “you slept over the table.  Three cheers for Charlie, our faithful watchman!  I nominate Charlie for honorary sentinel.”

The cheers were delivered, and Charlie was declared by the president to have been unanimously chosen honorary sentinel.