twelve o'clock
He was not so long sighting as myself , but his bullet struck about an inch above my own , and nearly in the centre of the mark . `` Better and better , '' cried Smith , in tones of surprise ; and when we joined him , we saw by his actions that we had risen in his estimation , while the natives , still squatting on their haunches , looked as though we were gods , or beings of a superior order . `` Here come the oxen , '' cried Smith , after a few words of congratulation . `` We must get over thirty miles of ground before twelve o'clock to-night . '' `` We are willing , '' we said . `` And the lameness and blisters ? '' he asked .