midnight
Teddy was on the point of saying he fancied that fear of the ultimate result might have some share in this alleged nervous attack ; but , fortunately , he checked himself in time , and turned to watch Poyor who was hiding the boat beneath an ingeniously constructed screen of leaves . Night came slowly ; the twittering of the birds and the chattering of the monkeys was hushed . Among the dense underbrush the darkness was intense , yet the Indian remained motionless in a listening attitude . Amid profound silence the moments passed until to the boys it seemed as if it must have been midnight when Cummings whispered : `` It is time . Poyor shall lead the way , and I will bring up the rear . '' Walking in single file , and keeping firm hold of each other 's garments lest they should be separated , the little party began the last stage of the journey . The Indian went forward as if familiar with all the surroundings , and when half an hour had passed he halted only long enough to point ahead where , through the foliage , could be seen the city , its buildings gleaming ghostly white in the starlight .