midnight
The wind had blown gently all day long , but now with the coming of the darkness it swelled into the song which he alone heard , that playing of the breeze upon the leaves , which his supersense translated into notes and bars and harmonies . Whenever he heard it he was uplifted and exalted in a singular manner , as if the distant heralds were already blowing the trumpets of victory . He was sure now of success . He and Long Jim kept the first watch , which would last until some time after midnight , and he chose it for himself , because he felt certain the attack would come before it was over . Paul and Tom went to sleep on the leaves inside , but he and Jim lay down just within the door , where they could see some distance and yet remain well sheltered . Now and then they exchanged a word or two . `` It 's eyes an ' ears both , Henry , '' said Long Jim .