midnight
With but little hesitation she plunged into the murky current , and soon disappeared in the darkness in the direction of the other shore . While the boy sergeants were going through these adventures I remained in La Paz . At retreat and tattoo roll-calls Corporal Duffey had reported Private Clary absent , adding the words `` and unaccounted for , '' and at Mr. Gray 's table the boys were absent from supper . At first I gave myself no anxiety over the absentees , but at midnight , becoming alarmed , I began a search for them . I soon learned that Henry had been seen to paddle out of the lagoon on a Mojave _ balsa _ , accompanied by Vic , and that Frank and Clary had gone quail-shooting . I did not feel especially anxious about the older boy , for he was in the company of one of the most trustworthy of our veteran soldiers , and would probably soon turn up safe . But Henry -- gone down the turbulent river on a frail bundle of grass -- what might I not fear ?