three in the morning
said Stroud , smiling , as he twisted his white mustache and smoothed his imperial . `` Oh , he 'll do very well . He 's a good solid point to rally round and fall back on , and then we always know where to find him , for he ca n't get away very far if he tries . '' At half-past three in the morning the officers of the staff were called by a native servant and began to make their preparations . They breakfasted as best they could on coffee without sugar or cream , and some stale bread , with an egg apiece , and whisky . Sam felt unaccountably sleepy , and he thought that all the rest looked sleepy too . It was five o'clock before Burton had the orders ready for the various subordinate commanders , telling each of them in which direction to advance .