midnight
`` She is n't for the likes of me ; but if I ca n't live with her , I can live for her -- as she 'd want me to live , and , s ` help me , those words 'll keep me straight . If she ever hears of Billy Byrne again it wo n't be anything to make her ashamed that she had her arms around him , kissing him , and telling him that she loved him . '' At the river 's edge across from the little island Billy came to a halt . He had reached the point near midnight , and hesitated to cross over and disturb the party at that hour . At last , however , he decided to cross quietly , and lie down near HER hut until morning . The crossing was most difficult , for he was very weak , but at last he came to the opposite bank and drew himself up to lie panting for a few minutes on the sloping bank . Then he crawled on again up to the top , and staggering to his feet made his way cautiously toward the two huts .