midnight
After pondering this apparently unreasonable movement he asked : `` Why did we not camp on that grassy park on the opposite side ? '' `` I suppose it appears to you there can be no good reason for crossing to this side ? '' I asked , in reply . `` It does seem even more absurd than starting on a march just after midnight -- something like going into a wood-shed to rest on a wood-pile when one could as well go into a parlor and rest on a divan . '' `` And certainly , '' added Frank , `` we have gained nothing in distance in crossing . The march is to be short to-morrow . '' `` Still , boys , there is quite as good a reason for doing this as for starting early to avoid the heat of the day .