"When I slept it was literally in the midst of an arsenal. If I heard dogs bark more fiercely than usual, or the feet of horses in a greater volume of sound than usual, I stood to arms"

Frank James was a well-known criminal in the late 1800s, and this quote is most likely describing his life on the run. He was continuously in risk of being caught by the law, so he needed to be prepared for any circumstance. He was sleeping in the middle of an arsenal, indicating he was surrounded by weapons, so he might be ready to defend himself if essential. He was also really aware of his surroundings, listening for any signs of danger. If he heard canines barking more increasingly than typical, or the noise of horses' hooves, he knew he had to be prepared to combat. He was always on guard, prepared to safeguard himself and his freedom.