midnight
Stepping up to the camels , which were quietly grazing on the jungle grass , he proceeded to remove every part of their trappings which would betray its Abyssinian make , until only the simple covering remained . With a cry of delight he held up two white burnouses that had been fastened to the saddle bags , and said : `` With these on and our faces darkened it will take a clever man to penetrate our disguise in the night time . '' It was not such an easy matter to stain their faces , but with the application of a little moist earth from the mouth of the cavern , it was finally accomplished to their satisfaction , and after a hasty review of their plans and a code of instructions for Melton 's guidance during their absence , the two daring adventurers mounted their camels and rode slowly off into the darkness toward the hostile camp of the Gallas . It was very near midnight , and as they trotted briskly across the desert , sounds of mirth floated on the air from the camp where the Abyssinians were making merry over their victory , serenely ignorant of the surprise that dawn was to bring them . The distant glow ahead seemed to come nearer and nearer with every stride of the camels , and Guy could hardly believe that nearly four miles had been traversed when Canaris pointed out the camp just in front of them . It was too late to think of retreat now , for already the approach of the camels was detected and a host of dark figures were visible moving across the still glowing embers . Fearful of an attack , Canaris shouted out loudly , `` Makar Makalo !