midnight
About nine o'clock the Pony Riders set out for the foothills , after first having consulted their compasses and decided upon the course they were to follow to reach the point , some fifteen miles distant , where they expected to pick up the guide . `` Seems good to be in the saddle once more , does n't it ? '' smiled Walter , after they had gotten well under way . `` Beats being in the river at midnight , '' laughed Tad . `` Bad-eye looks as if he needed grooming , too . Ned , I take back all I said about the bacon this morning . You did me a good turn last night .