nearly midnight
It was just possible that the fugitives would escape this danger . The blazing town was at last passed . Little by little the glare grew dimmer , the crackling became fainter , and the flames at last disappeared behind the high cliffs which arose at an abrupt turn of the river . By this time it was nearly midnight . The deep gloom again threw its protecting shadows over the raft . The Tartars were there , going to and fro near the river . They could not be seen , but they could be heard .