nearly midnight
Now crossing a level patch that raised their hopes , inclining them to believe that they had reached the bottom of the valley ; anon coming suddenly upon a steep ascent that dashed their hopes , and induced them to suppose they had turned in the wrong direction , and were re-ascending instead of descending the mountain . All the time Jacky slept like a top , and George , being a sturdy fellow , carried him without a murmur . Several times Fred tried to make him give up his burden , but George was inexorably obstinate . So they plodded on till nearly midnight . `` Is that a house ? '' said Fred , stopping short , and pointing to a dark object just in front of them . `` No , it 's a lake . ''