ten o'clock at night
Father De Smet snatched up the reins . On went the boat at Netteke 's best speed , which seemed no better than a snail 's pace to the fleeing family . Sounds of the skirmish continued to reach their ears , even when they had gone some distance down the river , and it was not until twilight had deepened into dusk , and they were hidden in its shadows , that they dared hope the danger was passed . It was after ten o'clock at night when the `` Old Woman '' at last approached the twinkling lights of Antwerp , and they knew that , for the time being at least , they were safe . They wore now beyond the German lines in country still held by the Belgians . Here , in a suburb of the city , Father De Smet decided to dock for the night . A distant clock struck eleven as the hungry but thankful family gathered upon the deck of the `` Old Woman '' to eat a meager supper of bread and cheese with only the moon to light their repast .