midnight
`` Of all the men I ever saw you are the dod-rottedest ! '' exclaimed Sneak , after staring at him a few moments in silent wonderment , and then striding back to his post . `` I should like to hear that sentence parsed , '' said Joe , looking after him . The hours wore on in peace , until midnight , when a low chattering , like that of a squirrel , was heard in the valley below ; while a shrill whistling , resembling that of quails was distinguished above . `` Come hither ! '' exclaimed Boone in a whisper to Glenn . `` Do you see any of them ? ''