About midnight
We little knew the startling surprise that was in store for us that night . As the forest in that place happened to be swarming with wild animals of every kind , we deemed it prudent to set a watch as well as to keep up a blazing fire . Jack and I and the negro kept watch by turns ; Peterkin , being still sufficiently an invalid to claim exemption from laborious duties , was permitted to rest undisturbed . About midnight I aroused Jack , and having made him sit up , in order to show that he was thoroughly awake , I lay down and went to sleep . How long I slept I can not tell , but I was suddenly awakened by one of the most tremendous roars I ever heard . It was so chose to me that , in the confusion of my sleepy brain , it seemed to be far more terrible than that even of the gorilla . I was mistaken in this , however , and no doubt my semi-somnolent condition tended to increase its awfulness .