midnight
he cried , as the figure crumpled up in a heap , completely exhausted . The boys rushed to the fallen man 's side as they heard the name . They bathed the huge black 's head with water and after a few minutes he opened his eyes and recognized them with a faint smile . After he had been given some nourishment he completely recovered from his spell of weakness which he called : `` Big fool -- all same woman , '' quite omitting to state that he had traveled almost eighty miles since the preceding midnight . The boys sat late listening to what the black had to tell of the attack on the camp -- of Professor Wiseman 's treachery and death -- and of the carrying off of the boys . Then Sikaso went on to gleefully relate , while they warmly clasped his mighty hands , how he had hidden the rest of the ivory and how he had seen Muley-Hassan pass on his way to the rifled hiding place . `` But Billy and Lathrop , Sikaso , tell us quick , were they with Muley-Hassan ? ''