midnight
The animals being seized by the horns , were thrown down on the sand , where they lay perfectly quiet , while the blacks with great dexterity cleansed their bodies from the insects . After this , they were washed with water from the sea . The cows were then milked . These various processes employed the greater number in the camp till near midnight . We were then allowed to lie down inside one of the tents , already crowded with Arabs and blacks . Some sheep-skins were thrown to us for coverings ; and though we did not require them for warmth -- the heat was almost insupportable -- they were a slight protection from the attacks of the mosquitoes which swarmed around us , and for long hours , it seemed , prevented us from falling asleep , weary as we were . The next morning we were aroused at daybreak by several kicks from the foot of an Arab , who ordered us to go down to the shore and collect shell-fish -- furnishing us with a basket for the purpose .