away, because then the night would be at hand.

He saw with immense relief that the sun was already very low. The heat,
gathered in the woods, was at its worst, and over his head the mosquitoes
buzzed and buzzed incessantly. It seemed to him a horrible sort of irony
that he might presently be forced from his shelter by mosquitoes and be
killed in flight to another refuge.

But he was endowed with great patience and tenacity and he clung to his
shelter, relying rather upon ear than eye to note the approach of an
enemy. Meanwhile the sun sank down to the rim of the wood, and the
twilight thickened rapidly in the east. Then a shot was fired from the
point from which the first had come. Dick heard the bullet singing over
his head, but it gave him satisfaction because he was able to locate his
enemy.

He sought no return fire, but lay in the dip, wary and patient. The sun
sank beyond the rim, the western sky flamed blood red for a few moments,
and then the Southern night swept down so suddenly that it seemed to come
with violence. Dick believed that his escape was now at hand, but he
still showed an infinite patience.

He did not stir from his place until the night was almost black, and then,
carrying his weapons and the saddlebag of provisions, he crept among the
thickets.

When he stood up he found himself stiff from lying long in a cramped
position. His face burned from the bites of the mosquitoes, which still
hung in swarms about him, and he felt dizzy.