About four o’clock
In the end , however , she and those who supported her seemed to overrule the objectors , and we were called up and told that our terms had been accepted and engrossed upon the form of the oath , and that everything there included would be faithfully observed by the Ruler and Council of the Abati . So we signed and swore , kissing the book , or rather the roll , in the civilized fashion . Afterwards , very tired , for all this business had been anxious , we were conducted back to our own quarters to lunch , or rather to dine , for the Abati ate their heaviest meal at midday , taking a siesta after it according to the common Eastern custom . About four o'clock of that afternoon I was awakened from my nap by the growls of Pharaoh , and looked up to see a man crouching against the door , evidently in fear of the dog 's fangs . He proved to be a messenger from Maqueda , sent to ask us if we cared to accompany her to a place that we had never seen . Of course we answered `` Yes , '' and were at once led by the messenger to a disused and dusty hall at the back of the palace , where presently Maqueda and three of her ladies joined us , and with them a number of men who carried lighted lamps , gourds of oil , and bundles of torches . `` Doubtless , friends , '' said Maqueda , who was unveiled and appeared to have quite recovered from our outburst of the morning , `` you have seen many wonderful places in this Africa and other lands , but now I am about to show you one that , I think , is stranger than them all . ''