nearly midnight
Twice , also , while Mowno was standing at his gate , messengers had arrived , apparently in haste , and after briefly conferring with him , had posted off again . When I remarked upon these sounds , Mowno said that they came from the marae , where preparations for the approaching ceremony were going forward ; but to me , they seemed to proceed from several different points , at various distances from us . `` I now began to feel painfully anxious at Rokoa 's protracted absence . It was nearly midnight , and there had been ample time for one less active than he , to go to the shore and return . The terrible apprehension , that in spite of all the resources of his skill and courage , he had fallen into the hands of some of the parties of natives which seemed to be scattered about in the forest , gained every moment a stronger hold upon my mind . '' ` He has either been taken , or else he finds that he can not rejoin us , without too great risk , ' said Barton , breaking a long silence , and speaking of that which each knew the other to be thinking about ; ` we must start for the shore ourselves , if he does not come soon . ' '' ` Hark ! '