About midnight
Ossaroo soon stripped the stag of its skin , cut the carcass into quarters , and hung them on the limb of a tree . Although the party had already supped , the excitement which had been occasioned by the incident gave them a fresh appetite ; and venison-steaks were broiled over the oak-wood cinders , and eaten with a relish . These were washed down by fresh draughts of the delicious palm-wine ; and then the travellers , having gathered some of the hanging moss , '' _ Usnea _ , '' and strewed it near the fire , rolled themselves in their blankets , and went to sleep . About midnight there was a camp alarm . The sleepers were awakened by the dog Fritz ; who , by his angry baying and fierce demonstrations , showed that some creature must have approached the fire that had no business to be there . On rousing themselves they thought they heard footsteps at a little distance , and a low growl as of some wild beast ; but it was not easy to distinguish any sound in particular , as at this season the tropical forest is full of noises -- so loud that it is often difficult for persons to hear each other in conversation . What with the chirruping of cicadas , the croaking of swamp-frogs , the tinkling of tree-toads , and the hooting and screeching of owls and night-hawks , the Indian forest is filled with a deafening din throughout the whole night .