midnight
But the small boy looked pleased . `` Be sure and come around , '' he said . `` Oh , you 'll hear from us , all right , '' replied Tim . It was quite evident that something would be heard when , some hours later , about a quarter of an hour before midnight , a group of boys had gathered in the square in front of Willie Perkins 's house . There was an array of small cannon ranged about that would have sent joy to the heart of a youthful Knox or Steuben . The boys were engaged in the act of loading these with blasting powder , purchased at a reduced price from the rock blasters in the valley below . `` Here you , do n't put in so much powder , young fellow , '' cautioned Harvey to a smaller youth , who was about to pour a handful into a chunky firearm .