Midnight
We had taken everything out of the canoe , with the exception of the paddles , even to the sail , which served as a carpet for Ellen 's hut . We next turned our attention to cooking further portions of the animals we had killed in the morning . In spite of the storm raging outside , and our anxiety , as we sat round the blazing fire , Ellen and Maria having joined us , the smoke keeping the mosquitoes somewhat at bay , we all felt more cheerful than might have been expected . Midnight had now come on ; and having cut up a further supply of wood to keep the fire burning , we slung our hammocks and turned into them , trusting to True to keep watch for us . The hours of the night passed slowly by . I awoke several times . Few of the usual noises of the forest were heard .