midnight
But do n't you attempt any such folly . No good could possibly come of it , and you would be sure to fall into the hands of the savages or Canadians ; and you know how they treat prisoners . '' `` I know , '' the boy said ; `` and I have no wish to have my scalp hanging up in any of their wigwams . '' It was midnight , before the camp was perfectly still , and then James Walsham quietly loosened one of the pegs of the canvas , at the back of the tent , and , with a warm grasp of the midshipman 's hand , crawled out . The lad listened attentively , but he could not hear the slightest sound . The sentinel was striding up and down in front of the tent , humming the air of a French song as he walked . Half an hour passed without the slightest stir , and the midshipman was sure that James was , by this time , safely beyond the enemy 's camp .