midnight
`` Never you mind about me , '' retorted Charlie . `` I never woke up the whole camp by letting go an elephant gun at a jackal . '' This reminder of an earlier episode in the trip silenced Jack for the time being , but Charlie had no intention of letting himself be caught napping on duty . His watch lasted till midnight , when Amir would relieve him , and as there was no moon the boys got in a plentiful supply of wood for the fire . While the Indians were setting out the traps as usual , von Hofe departed to inspect the injured men , and Charlie seized the opportunity . `` Say , General , what about that ivory cache of Mowbray 's ? Think we can lug it off with us ? ''