184 Hans Brinker

feather-beds that lay lightly upon each cot. Had the boys
been in Germany, instead of Holland, they might have been
covered, also, by a bed of down or feathers. This peculiar
form of luxury was at that time adopted only by wealthy or
eccentric Hollanders.

Ludwig, as we have seen, had not quite lost his friskiness ;
but the other boys, after one or two feeble attempts at pillow-
firing, composed themselves for the night with the greatest
dignity. Nothing like fatigue for making boys behave
themselves.

“‘Good-night, boys!” said Peter’s voice from under the
covers.

“© Good-night!”’ called back everybody but Jacob, who
already lay snoring beside the captain.

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“T say!” shouted Carl, after a moment, “don’t sneeze,
anybody. Ludwig’s in a fright.”

“No such thing!” retorted Ludwig, in a smothered voice.
Then there was a little whispered dispute, which was scnded by
Carl saying, —

“ For my part, ] don’t know what fear is ; but you really are
a timid fellow, Ludwig.”

Ludwig grunted sleepily, but made no further reply.

It was the middle of the night. The fire had shivered itself
to death; and, in place of its gleams, little squares of moonlight
lay upon the floor, slowly, slowly shifting their way across the
room. Something else was moving also; but they did not see
it. Sleeping boys keep but a poor lookout. During the early
hours of the night, Jacob Poot had been gradually but surely
winding himself with all the bed-covers. He now lay like a