about three o'clock in the morning
Mark , however , felt certain he had distinctly seen the animal 's quills , so a little later he quietly left the camp without saying a word to any one as to where he was going . At nine o'clock that night Mark had not returned to camp , and Burton , who had remained to dinner , suggested that he might have got lost , or met with an accident ; so a search was at once commenced . `` Well , Burton , what is your opinion now ? '' asked Doctor Mullen on their return to camp about three o'clock in the morning , after an unsuccessful search for Mark . `` I am sorry to say I think he has met with a serious accident and is unable to help himself . Listen to those natives shouting ` Sahib ! Sahib ! '