midnight
At intervals they discussed the probability of his return , and then they would remain silent . Nothing could be done that night . They could only await the morning light , when they would renew their search , and scour the country in every direction . It was near midnight , and they were sitting silently around the fire , when Marengo started to his feet , and uttered three or four loud barks . The echoes of these had hardly died among the trees when a shrill whistle was heard at some distance off in the woods . `` Hurrah ! '' shouted Francois , leaping to his feet at the instant ; `` that 's Basil 's whistle , I 'll be bound .