midnight
Remember me to Yupanqui , and say that I am sorry I could not stay to see him . Are you ready , Arima ? Then march ! '' It was close upon midnight when Escombe and his Indian guide rode into camp , after a fatiguing and somewhat adventurous journey ; for as Mama Cachama had said , the way was rough and by no means devoid of danger even in the daytime , while at night those dangers were multiplied a hundredfold . Enquiry revealed that none of the six peons whom Harry had that morning despatched to seek for traces of the missing party had returned , and the young man therefore gave Arima instructions to make all necessary preparations to start with him at daybreak , in search of the spot at which Cachama had described Butler as falling exhausted after his terrible flight through the night and storm . Of course Harry scarcely expected to find Butler there , and still less did he hope it , for in that event it would only too probably mean that the missing man was dead , whereas Harry hoped that , after lying exhausted for perhaps some hours , his chief would recover strength enough to make a further effort to return to camp ; but he knew that in any case the search must necessarily start from the spot indicated by Cachama , and for that spot , therefore , he must make in the first instance . It was broad daylight , but the sun had not yet risen above the snow - capped Andes when Escombe , accompanied by Arima , each of them mounted upon a sturdy mule , and the Indian leading Butler 's saddled and bridled horse , rode out of camp the next morning on their quest for the missing man , taking with them a week 's rations for each , and a similar quantity for Butler 's use -- should they be fortunate enough to find him -- as well as a small supply of medical comforts , the whole contained in a pack securely strapped upon the saddle of the led horse .