About eleven o’clock
So the hours wore on while we waited for the Zulus . But from my intimate knowledge of the habits of natives I had little fear that they would attack us at night , though , had they done so , they could have compassed our destruction with but small loss to themselves . It is not the habit of this people , they like to fight in the light of day -- at dawn for preference . About eleven o'clock , just as I was nodding a little at my post , I heard a low whistle outside the laager . Instantly I was wide awake , and all along the line I heard the clicking of locks as the Boers cocked their guns . `` Macumazahn , '' said a voice , the voice of Indaba-zimbi , `` are you there ? '' `` Yes , '' I answered .