about eleven o'clock
At first it went in so easily that I was about to select a fresh place , but it soon became harder and firmer , and when I had done and felt the head it was quite immovable , and held the ring close down to the stones . My idea had been to cover the trap with a handful or two of hay , but it was so dark that I thought I would leave it , as it was impossible to see it even from where I looked . I left it , meaning to come the next morning and set it free with a file , for I did not want to take up the peg , and I could get another for lever and join the chain with a strong padlock the next time . It was about eleven o'clock when I had finished my task , and I did not know whether to be pleased or alarmed . I felt something like a boy might who had set a bait at the end of a line to catch a crocodile , and was then very much alarmed for fear he should have any luck . I crept away and waited , thinking a great deal about Piter , and what would be the consequences if he walked over the trap , but I argued that the chances were a hundred thousand to one against his going to that particular spot . Besides , if I left him chained up Uncle Bob was not likely to unloose him , so I determined to run the risk , and leave the trap set when I went off guard .