about midnight
After the supernatural terror which , as I told you , I experienced in that very place , I would n't condemn a kicking mule to go through it in this darkness . Let the poor devils stay ; I daresay they are tired . '' So I gave in , and presently saw their fires beginning to burn through the end canvas of the wagon which was unlaced because the night was hot . Also later on I woke up , about midnight I think , and heard voices talking , one of which I reflected sleepily , sounded very like that of Footsack . Waking very early , as is my habit , I peeped out of the wagon , and through the morning mist perceived Footsack in converse with a particularly villainous-looking person . I at once concluded this must be Karl , evidently a Bastard compounded of about fifteen parts of various native bloods to one of white , who , to add to his attractions , was deeply scarred with smallpox and possessed a really alarming squint . It seemed to me that Footsack handed to this man something that looked suspiciously like a bottle of squareface gin wrapped up in dried grass , and that the man handed back to Footsack some small object which he put in his mouth .