By night time we were thoroughly tired, and were ready to thank fortune that our usual number of patients was not present to demand our professional aid.  The inspector dropped in to see us for a short time, after supper; but he did not stop long, as a large meeting of the miners was to take place that night, and he expected quite a stir would be made in regard to the mining tax.  We were therefore left alone to pass the night, and after an inspection of the horses, and finding that they were doing well, we “turned in,” as the sailors say, and slept soundly for three or four hours, when I was awakened by a low growl from Rover, who was lying at my feet.

I started at the sound, and listened, but could discover no cause for alarm.  Still, I saw that the hound was restless, and through the darkness observed that his eyes burned like coals of fire, and that he appeared to be watching for further signs of danger.

Thinking that the noise of some brawler had disturbed him, I again lay down; but as I did so the dog uttered another low growl, and crept near my face, as though fearful of something that was invisible to my eyes.  I patted his neck, and to my surprise I found he was trembling as I had never known him before.  He crouched close to me, and seemed almost inclined to desert me; but I soon calmed him, although, for the life of me, I could not understand why he should appear so frightened.

For a few minutes I sat upright and listened attentively, but not a sound rewarded me for my patience.  I heard Fred breathing heavily a few feet from me, but I disliked to awaken him, as I knew that he was very tired when he went to sleep, and as yet I had seen nothing that warranted me in disturbing him.  I was just about to speak to the dog in an angry tone, when he suddenly uttered a sharp yelp, and I heard a slight rustling within a few feet of me.

It was a peculiar sound, and startled me.  It was not like the heavy or light tread of man, but it seemed as though some substance was being drawn across the floor at a cautious rate.  Again it stopped, and all was still; I held the dog firmly by the collar, but he trembled so violently that I began to partake of his fear, and no longer delayed in awakening Fred.

I reached over, and placed my hand upon my comrade’s face, and the touch awoke him instantly.

“Hist!” I whispered; “don’t speak above your breath for your life.  There is some person in the room!”

I could feel my friend place his hand upon his trusty revolver, and I knew that he was prepared for action.  I shifted my position so that I could got beside him, and then, armed in a similar manner, I awaited further developments.

“What has disturbed you?” he asked, in a whisper that would have been inarticulate two paces from us.

“I can’t imagine.  Even Rover has taken fright; and for the first time; see how he trembles,” I responded.