about midnight
When I called and he did n't say nothing , I thought I would go in and snatch him up off 'n them shucks in a way that would learn him not to play ` possum on me ary ` nother time ; but when I snatched I did n't get nothing but the blanket and empty boots . '' `` Harvey , he must have been gone when you went in there with your light , '' said Mr. Westall , reproachfully . `` No doubt he threw the bar up with his hand , and his object in closing the door after him was to hide his escape as long as possible . If he went about midnight he has nearly six hours the start of us , on a swift horse and along a road he knows like a book . Let 's go home , boys . We 've done the best we could , but next time we 'll try and be a little sharper . '' While this conversation was going on Rodney had leisure to recover his composure , and was not a little relieved to see that there were no side-long glances cast toward himself .