midnight
Sometimes they walked down aisles unchoked by brush but full of moving shadows , above which sounded the lonely continuous hooting of the owl . Now and again bats whirred past , and once a startled wildcat scurried across the path and darted up a tree , crying with terror . `` If we only do n't meet a bear , '' thought Roldan , who dared not speak lest his voice should shake courage and terrors apart . It was midnight when Adan announced with what emphasis was left in him , -- `` We are lost . '' Roldan answered through his teeth : `` Yes , but I think I hear the creek . When we find that , all we have to do is to follow it south . '' `` My heart is in the South , '' muttered Adan .