night
about twelve o'clock
Throughout these conversations Sam Hodge seldom spoke . Indeed , as the time drew nearer the day of the race , his anxiety manifestly increased . He was busy on or about the boat throughout the day and even when night fell it was difficult to persuade him to retire to his room in the boat-house . Once when Fred looked out of his bedroom window , in the moonlight night about twelve o'clock , he discovered Sam pacing back and forth on the dock . Just why he was so uneasy Fred did not understand and Sam did not offer any explanation . On the following night not long after the boys had retired , they were awakened by a loud call from Sam Hodge . `` Hi !