The villagers volunteered to keep watch all night, at the gate of the stockade; although they said that there was no fear of anyone approaching, as strangers could not find their way through the forest, in the dark and, even could they do so, the fear of tigers would prevent them from making the attempt.

Stanley agreed to pay some of them to watch, but also stationed one of his own men as sentry, relieving him every three hours.
An hour after they reached the village, they saw one of the war boats rowing rapidly up the stream; and had no doubt that it was bearing a message from Bandoola, saying that he had repulsed the attack of the British.

Beyond hearing the howling of tigers in the forest, Stanley passed the night undisturbed, except when he went to change the sentry.

Meinik took his share of watching; and Stanley, himself, relieved him an hour before daybreak.
By the time the sun rose, the horses had been fed and breakfast taken.

After riding some miles, the country became more open.
Cultivated fields succeeded the dense forest.