four o'clock
he reflected , which was probably not exactly the impression the Leopard Woman either intended or thought she had made . A seasoned African traveller in ordinary circumstances sleeps very soundly , his ear attuned only to certain things . So Kingozi hardly stirred on his cork mattress , although the lions roared full-voiced satisfaction when they left the rhinoceros , and the yells of the hyenas rose to a pandemonium when at last they were permitted to join the feast . Likewise the nearer familiar noises of men rising to their daily tasks at four o'clock -- the yawning , stretching , cracking of firewood , crackling of fire , low-voiced chatter -- did not disturb him . Yet , so strangely is the human mind organized , had during the night a soft whisper of padded feet , even the deep breathing of a beast , sounded within the precincts of the camp , he would instantly have been broad awake , the rifle that stood loaded nearby clasped in his hand . Thus he lay quietly through the noises of men working , but came awake at the sound of men marching . He arose on his elbow and drew aside the flap of his tent .