about midnight
Simple as striking matches , was n't it ? `` Well , the horses were getting a good bellyful in the police horse paddock at night , and Bill took the first watch with the sheep . It was very cold and frosty on the flat and he thought the sheep might make back for the ridges , it 's always warmer up in the ridges in winter out of the frost . Bill roused me out about midnight . ` There 's the sheep , ' he says , pointing to a white blur . ` They 've settled down . I think they 'll be quiet till daylight .