about midnight
`` Nay , '' she said , `` this child that was sent to me by Heaven has saved me from shame and death , and shame and death be my portion if I will leave it while I live . Go on alone if you will , Zinti , and I will stay here with the child . '' `` Truly white people are strange , '' answered Zinti , `` that they should wish to burden themselves with the child of another when their own lives are at stake , but be it as you will , lady , '' and he struggled forward as best he could , carrying the one and supporting the other . Thus for hour after hour , slowly they crept onward with only the stars to light and guide them , till at length about midnight the moon rose and they saw that they were near the foot of the mountain . Now they rested awhile , but not long enough to grow stiff , then hastening down the slope they reached the plain , and headed for the white-topped koppie which shone in the moonlight some six miles away . On they crept , Suzanne now limping painfully , for her ankle had begun to swell , and now crawling upon her hands and knees , for Zinti had no longer the strength to carry her and the child . Thus they covered three miles in perhaps as many hours .