nearly midnight
There was no hope now of diamonds , and the expedition had cost them nearly two hundred dollars . A few wolf bounties and pelts , together with the furs found in the cabin , would cover this and perhaps leave a little profit . It was cold and cloudy the next day , and they waited impatiently for evening . The moon would not rise till nearly midnight , and it was necessary to wait in order to have light enough for the proposed ambush . They sallied out toward eleven o'clock , and shot three rabbits , which Peter attached to a deerskin thong . Selecting an open glade , Maurice and Fred established themselves in ambush under the thickets , while Peter started on a wide circle through the woods , trailing his bait , in the hope of attracting the wolves . Fred and Maurice waited for more than two hours , nearly frozen , stamping and beating their arms , listening for the hunting cry of the wolf pack .