About midnight
As game would not keep many hours , we had to eat it at once , or throw it away . We formed our camp with more care than usual , as our guide suggested that there might be Indians in the neighbourhood , or that a panther or a bear might pay us a visit , while it was not impossible that an alligator might come foraging into our camp . We kept up a large fire , therefore , and one of the party remained on watch , each man taking a turn of a couple of hours . About midnight we were aroused by a most fearful bellowing . We started to our feet , and , supposing that some unknown monsters were approaching , seized our rifles and pistols , ready to defend ourselves . On looking about , however , we could see nothing . Our pilot 's laugh reassured us .