midnight
`` Poor old chap , you did your best . I ca n't pat you now . Roll yourself to the door and look out , Luka . '' `` There are three of them sitting by a fire , but it will be darker presently and they will not see us '' -- for although it could scarcely be called night the sun now dipped for an hour or two below the horizon at midnight . `` Well , see or not see , we will go , Luka . If we are to be killed it shall be making a fight for it , and not having our throats cut like sheep . Now , I think you are more accustomed to chewing tough food than I am , so I will roll over on my face , and do you set to work and bite through the thong . ''