twelve o'clock
I remember only a flash and an explosion -- a deathly sensation , a whirl of the rocks and trees about me , a hideous imprecation from the lips of my murderer , and I fell senseless to the earth . When I awoke to consciousness it was past midnight . I looked up at the stars , and recognized Lyra shining full in my face . That constellation , I knew , passed the meridian at this season of the year after twelve o'clock , and its slow march told me that many weary hours would intervene before daylight . My right arm was paralyzed , but I put forth my left , and it rested in a pool of my own blood . `` Oh , for one drop of water ! '' I exclaimed , faintly ; but only the low sighing of the night blast responded .