about ten o'clock
`` A wild elephant , '' said Colonel Dermot . Then followed the loud crashing of rending boughs and falling trees . `` That 's a herd feeding . They graze until about ten o'clock and then sleep on well into the small hours , wake and begin to feed again at dawn , '' continued the Political Officer . Once a wild , unearthly wailing cry that seemed to come from every direction at once startled the subaltern : `` Good Heavens ! what 's that ? '' he exclaimed , gripping his rifle and trying to pierce the darkness around them .