midnight
Afterwards , as there was still no sign of Meyer , they even dared to drag in the waggon tent to make a shelter for Benita , and all the wood that they had collected for firing . This proved a wearisome business , for the logs were heavy , and in his crippled state Mr. Clifford could carry no great burden . Indeed , towards the end Benita was forced to complete the task alone , while he limped beside her with his rifle , lest Jacob should surprise them . When at length everything was done it was long past midnight , and so exhausted were they that , notwithstanding their danger , they flung themselves down upon the canvas tent , which lay in a heap at the end of the cave near the crucifix , and fell asleep . When Benita woke the lamp had gone out , and it was pitch dark . Fortunately , however , she remembered where she had put the matches and the lantern with a candle in it . She lit the candle and looked at her watch .