four o'clock
This difficulty would , however , be easily got over by cutting stout rods from the woods and lashing them to the short spanners . The tools thus obtained would , he knew , be fully suited to the end in view . The reconnoitring of the railway had disclosed the fact that the guards were stationed only about eighty yards apart . Also that they were changed every four hours , at four o'clock , eight o'clock , midnight , and noon . An hour before midnight Max led the band towards the line at the point fixed upon . He had already , at some pains , explained exactly what he desired each man to do , and from their intelligent eagerness felt pretty well assured that they would not fail from want of zeal or knowledge of the part they had to play . To the Frenchmen he , of course , explained matters in their own tongue , and found them equally as ready as their Island brethren .