ten o'clock
at night
But they did not drink ; they waited , cropping the grass . Gradually , through a long hour , others gathered , tawny and yellow , and dappled-brown , and stood and fed until -- perhaps a signal was given , perhaps a known moment had come -- all like soldiers at a command , moved down to the water 's edge . Six nights later Hillyard camped at Lueisa , near to that big tree under which it is not wise to spread your bed . He took his bath at ten o'clock at night under the moon , and the water from the river was hot . He stretched himself out in his bed and waked again that night after the moon had set , to fix indelibly in his memory the blazing dome of stars above his head , and the Southern Cross burning in a corner of the sky . The long , wonderful holiday was ended . To-morrow night he would sleep in a house .