nine o'clock
Unluckily there was a stream between us , and it was necessary to ford it . It shows Tish 's true generalship that , instead of removing her shoes and stockings , as Aggie and I were about to do , she suggested getting our horses and riding across . This we did , and alighted on the other side dryshod . It was , on consulting my watch , nine o'clock and very dark . A few drops of rain began to fall also , and the distant camp-fire was burning low . Tish gave us each a little blackberry cordial , for fear of dampness , and took some herself . The mild glow which followed was very comforting .