midnight
The deliriously warm evening was spent in drying the wet garments in the heated sand , and in resting . The professor , who seemed a good deal fagged by his exertions , would hardly hear of sleeping , but was exceedingly anxious about Lawrence , who , however , seemed to be none the worse for the past night 's exposure , the warmth of the day and the rest he had had having recouped him to a wonderful extent . Mr Burne , too , though he had worked very hard , declared that he never felt better , and after smoking a cigar , which he took as a sandwich between two layers of snuff , preparations were made for the night , it being decided to lie down early and rise at daybreak , when a couple more hours ' work would , it was considered , make the felucca in a condition to sail at any time . The professor insisted upon Yussuf lying down at once to get the first rest , so as to be roused up towards midnight to take the watch . He consented rather unwillingly , and then the point had to be settled who should have the pistol and take the first watch . The professor wished to commence , but Mr Burne was so indignant and insisted so sternly that the pistol was handed to him , after Yussuf had been asleep for about a couple of hours , and then Mr Preston and Lawrence sought their sandy couches , and lay for a little while listening to the soft murmur of the sea , and watching the brilliant stars in the dark sky and in the purply black water , while with regular and slow beat , like a sentry , Mr Burne walked up and down , pistol in hand . Lawrence lay awake long enough to hear the professor 's deep breathing , and his muttering of something once or twice .