midnight
Harry had not forgotten the time when a lordly billy was the pride and joy of his own heart , and his sympathies were with Dick ; so Cop accompanied the band of youthful raiders that assembled with much mystery in the vicinity of the schoolhouse late that night . The desperadoes had stolen from their beds while their parents slept , and were ripe for adventure . Dick , who had Cop in charge , put himself at the head of the rising with his customary assurance , and gave his orders in a low , stern voice . According to his authorities , a low , stern voice was proper to the command of all such midnight enterprises . But before starting for Cow Flat it was necessary to forage for ammunition . Two or three of the boys were provided with bags . It was proposed to fill these with such vegetables as would serve to allure the coy but gluttonous goat , and a silent , systematic descent was made upon several kitchen gardens of Waddy .