midnight
`` I guess that must be it , '' said Ben ; `` otherwise you can bet he 'd have gotten on more of a hustle than this . '' `` Well , I 'm just as well content with things as they are , '' commented Harry , `` in fact it would not grieve me much to hear that his old balloon had tumbled into the ocean , crew and all . '' Supper was soon despatched that evening , and the boys turned in early . They slept soundly , but toward midnight Frank had a queer dream . It seemed to him that he was on board the rat ship once more and that scores of the rodents they had battled with were again overwhelming him . He battled bravely with the hosts but they were too many for him . Just as it seemed that all was over , however , he heard a voice say , `` Hold on there ! ''