three o'clock in the morning
Once he resisted , and received a punch in the side that took nearly all of the wind out of him . He started to cry for help , but his captors threatened if he did this that they would place a gag of dirty cloth in his mouth . In days gone by Baxter had often visited a deserted dwelling on the lake shore , and to this spot the party now directed their steps . In the dark their course was uncertain , and they made slow progress , so it was after three o'clock in the morning when the dilapidated building was reached . `` Make some kind of a light -- I ca n't see a thing , '' said Dan Baxter , as the little party came to a halt in front of a half tumbled down building . Stumpy Nuggs carried matches , and quickly lit a bit of candle which he produced from one of the pockets of his ragged attire . They entered the dwelling , forcing Tom to accompany them .