midnight
Our party did not stay to notice the change . They , too , had been warned by the roar of the tiger , and hastily leaving the spot , returned to their place of encampment . On reaching it , they kindled a large circle of fire to keep them in safety during the night . They saw no more of the jaguar , although at intervals through the midnight hours , they were awakened by his loud and savage cry , resounding through the openings of the forest . The next evening our travellers encamped on a sand-bar , or rather a great bank of sand , that ran for miles along one side of the river . Of course they had nothing to hang their hammocks to , but that was a matter of no importance , for the sand was dry and soft , and of itself would make a comfortable bed , as pleasant to sleep on as a hair-mattress . They only wanted wood enough to cook with , and to keep up their fire during the night -- so as to frighten off the wild beasts .