ten o'clock at night
We trudged for five hours , and the sun sank , and there was no moon . I walked on like a blind man . Schnelling seemed to know his way perfectly , but occasionally he stopped and struck his flint ; when by that small , pale gleam , the abysses of darkness seemed vaster and more menacing . At last , toward ten o'clock at night , there came , on the faintly stirring dense air , the odor of smoke , of burning boughs . Then a twinkle of light was visible , and the next minute we came upon an open space , in which a huge fire of resinous wood blazed and roared . There were pickets about . This precious gang of rascals , who impudently claimed to be a part of General Bibikoff 's force , had all served some time or other as soldiers , all wore uniforms , and knew perfectly well how to take care of themselves -- nay , how to make themselves at ease , as far as their circumstances permitted .