about an hour after midnight
Sala guhli -LRB- farewell -RRB- , ` Nkos ' ! '' and , saluting , the savage swung round upon his heel and strode away . Thereupon I climbed into the wagon , and , having carefully examined my weapons and satisfied myself that they were all loaded and the powder well up in the nipples , retired to rest . It was about an hour after midnight when Jan awoke me . `` Baas , '' he murmured , shaking me gently by the shoulder , `` there is an ` mfaan -LRB- boy -RRB- who bids me tell thee that the leopard is abroad and making down toward the village , and that if you will come quickly you will have a good chance to kill the beast . '' `` All right , '' I replied drowsily , as I sat up on the cartel and began to feel about for my boots . `` Find the tinder box , Jan , and light the lamp . ''