midnight
`` Might have a mate around , '' suggested John Barrow . `` We had better keep our eyes peeled , or we may be surprised . Wonder what time it is ? '' By consulting a watch they found it was just midnight . After the excitement Dick felt quite sleepy , and inside of half an hour he followed the guide 's advice and laid down to rest -- not under the tree , however , but as close to the camp-fire as safety permitted . Dick had requested John Barrow to call him in three hours , so that the guide might get a little more sleep , but the youth was allowed to slumber until he aroused of his own accord , just as day was breaking . `` Hullo , I 've slept all night ! ''