midnight
`` Let us take turns at resting , '' suggested Snap , and so it was arranged . It was a calm , clear night and before long the town was wrapped in slumber , and only the occasional bark of a dog or yowl of a cat broke the stillness . Out on the river nothing was stirring . It was after midnight , and Snap had almost reached the conclusion that the alarm had been a false one , when , looking from one of the little windows , he saw two figures approaching the boathouse . The two boys or men had their coat collars turned up and their soft hats pulled well down over their foreheads . Making no noise Snap aroused Shep , who was sound asleep on the cot . `` What is it ? ''