midnight
It was simply a roof or shed , thatched with palm-tree leaves , about twelve feet long by eight broad , and supported on four upright posts at the corners , the eaves being about six feet high . Under this I slung my grass hammock transversely from corner to corner , tricing it well up to the rafters , so that it hung about five feet from the ground ; while beneath Mangrove lit a fire , for the twofold purpose , as it struck me , of driving off the musquittoes , and converting his Majesty 's officer into ham or hung beef ; and after having made mulo fast to one of the posts , with a bundle of malojo , or the green stems of Indian corn or maize , under his nose , he borrowed a plank from a neighbouring hut , and laid himself down on it at full length , covered up with a blanket , as if he had been a corpse , and soon fell fast asleep . As for Sneezer , he lay with his black muzzle resting on his fore paws , which were thrust out straight before him , until they almost stirred up the white embers of the fire ; with his eyes shut , and apparently asleep , but from the constant nervous twitchings and pricking up of his ears , and his haunches being gathered up well under him , and a small quick switch of his tail now and then , it was evident he was broad awake , and considered himself on duty . All continued quiet and silent in our bivouac until midnight , however , except the rushing of the river hard by , when I was awakened by the shaking of the shed from the violent struggles of mulo to break loose , his strong trembling thrilling along the taught cord that held him , down the lanyard of my hammock to my neck , as he drew himself in the intervals of his struggles as far back as he could , proving that the poor brute suffered under a paroxysm of fear . `` What noise is that ? '' I roused myself . It was repeated .