midnight
Night came . The search continued . They called , and called , but nothing answered save the ghostly echoes , the rustling of leaves , the slow , sonorous notes of a distant bear , or the neighing of a horse in the grass-paddock . At midnight they gave up , and went home , and sat inside and listened , and looked distracted . While they sat , `` Whisky , '' a blackfellow from Billson 's station , dropped in . He was taking a horse down to town for his boss , and asked Dad if he could stay till morning . Dad said he could .