about midnight
Before retiring for the night Dave penned a letter to Ben , and also sent a letter to Jessie , and another to his Uncle Dunston which was meant for the entire household . Roger spent the time in a communication to his mother , and also in a long letter to Luke Watson . The night proved to be unusually warm , for the breeze which was usually stirring had died down completely . Dave fell into a fitful doze , from which he awoke about midnight to find his mouth and throat quite parched . `` I guess I 'd better get up and get a drink , '' he told himself , `` and then I may be able to sleep better . Phew ! but the thermometer has certainly been going up the last few days . ''