midnight
Mrs. Conroyal read the church service for the dead over the body of the unfortunate miner ; and then six of the oldest and strongest boys gently lifted the boards on which the corpse lay to their shoulders and , just as the rays of the setting sun redden the tops of the western mountains , bore the body slowly to its last resting place , beneath the outstretched arms of a sturdy oak , on the top of a little hillock , near the murmuring waters of a small stream that flowed close by the house . That night was a busy night at the Conroyal rancho . Everything must be got ready for the going of Thure and Bud in the morning ; and it was surprising how many things there were that needed doing . But , at length , long after midnight , everything was in readiness and the two boys entered their sleeping room for their last night 's rest , for they knew not how long , in the dear old home-house . `` I can hardly realize that we are to start for the mines in the morning , '' Thure said , as he quickly undressed and jumped into bed . `` All that has happened to-day seems more like a dream than the reality ; and I am almost afraid that I will wake up in the morning and find that I have been only dreaming . '' `` Well , '' declared Bud , `` if it 's only dreaming , I 'm going to get into bed and dream some more as quick as I can ; so , not meaning to be impolite , shut up and good night , '' and he settled himself down comfortably in the bed and closed his eyes .