midnight
Thus attired , they were probably as comfortable as they could be . A belt around the waist contained a supply of cartridges for their Winchesters and revolvers , besides affording a resting place for the knives , the indispensible Smith & Wesson being carried in the hip pocket , after the usual fashion . In view of the unusual peril threatening the party , extra precautions were taken against surprise . It was arranged that Quincal and Jared Long should mount guard until midnight , when they would give way to Pedros and the professor . This would leave Bippo and Ashman free from any duty , their turn to come the following night . Ashman , however , insisted on taking a part which was somewhat original in its nature . He was confident that if the savages found it impracticable to cross the Xingu in sight of the explorers , they would pass down stream and endeavor to do so , at a point where they could not be observed by those in camp .