midnight
I 've come in search of them , for it is by their aid that I propose to enter Bhutan . '' And the subaltern was still more surprised when the animals , which numbered over a hundred , fell in behind Badshah -- cows with calves leading , tuskers in rear -- and followed him submissively in single file as he headed for the mountains . When night fell they were climbing above the foot-hills under the vivid tropic stars . A couple of hours before midnight the leader halted , and the line behind him scattered to feed on the bamboos and the luscious grasses , though the younger calves nuzzled their mothers ' breasts . Badshah sank to his knees to allow his passengers to dismount and relieve him of his pad . The three men ate and then wrapped themselves in their blankets , for it was very cold high up in the mountains , and stretched themselves to sleep , as the great animals around them ceased to feed and rested . Badshah lowered himself cautiously to the ground and lay down near his men .