about two o'clock in the morning
`` My opinion is , '' said the Major , `` that we ought to steal a march upon them . Our oxen are in excellent condition , and may travel till to-morrow evening without feeling it . Let us yoke and be off at once , now that it is dark . The moon will rise about two o'clock in the morning , but before that the wagons will be twelve or fifteen miles off . Alexander and I , with Bremen , will remain here with our horses and wait till the moon rises , to see if we can discover any thing : and we can easily join the wagons by daybreak . We will keep the fires up , to allow them to suppose that we are still encamped , that they may not pursue . '' `` And also to keep off the lions , '' observed Alexander , `` which are not enemies to be despised . ''