midnight
In the meantime the defences of the farm were increased as much as possible , in case the Zulus should venture to attack it . The night was passing by quietly . Crawford volunteered to keep watch , Mangaleesu also offered his services , so that those who had been on foot the previous night might obtain the rest they required . Rupert and Denis joined them shortly after midnight . They were continually going round the whole circuit of the stockade to see that the men who were ported at the different angles had their eyes open , and that the enemy were not stealing up , as it was thought possible they might attempt to do , to take them by surprise . Crawford had just returned to the platform in front of the house , when Mangaleesu pointed across the river , towards the Zulu camp . No fire was to be seen , and Crawford remarked that the flames had sunk completely down , although there was still a glow as if from hot embers .