about two in the morning
On the day of that last Chicken , Thor was all morning carrying water enough for the coming three fevers . The chill attacked him sooner than it was due and his fever was worse than ever before . He drank deeply and often from the bucket at his head . He had filled it , and it was nearly emptied when about two in the morning the fever left him and he fell asleep . In the gray dawn he was awakened by a curious sound not far away -- a splashing of water . He turned his head to see two glaring eyes within a foot of his face -- a great Beast lapping the water in the bucket by his bed . Thor gazed in horror for a moment , then closed his eyes , sure that he was dreaming , certain that this was a nightmare of India with a Tiger by his couch ; but the lapping continued .