ten o'clock
The wind had gone to sleep with the sun , and the heated air had given place to a coolness that felt doubly refreshing after the scorching which we had undergone on the prairie that forenoon . The air was still perfumed with the smoke of broiled kangaroo meat , attracting large numbers of a fox-like species of animals , that rarely ventured from the surrounding darkness , into the light of our camp-fire , but skulked in the vicinity , and waited for the time when sleep would overpower us , and allow them free pillage of our larder . Occasionally an impatient one would utter a short bark , as though expressive of his disgust at our watchfulness , and after he had thus given vent to his feelings , slink away into darkness again ; but their fiery , eager eyes , could be distinguished as they prowled around and jostled each other while taking counsel . It was near ten o'clock . We had lapsed into silence , and each one was busy with his own thoughts , perhaps laying plans for the future . From the time that our pipes were lighted not a word had been exchanged , and I was just about knocking the ashes from mine , and proposing a retirement to our blankets beneath the nearest tree , when the prolonged howling of a dog attracted my attention . I looked towards Smith for an explanation , but found that he was as much puzzled as myself , and was holding his pipe in one hand , while his head was bent in the direction of the sound , as though waiting for a repetition before he ventured to express an opinion .