midnight
They were eventually tucked away snugly in their warm blankets , and had said the last goodnights as the lantern was extinguished , and darkness reigned within the tent . Outside , the fire burned low , since Jack did not see any necessity for leaving much of a blaze when it was a summer night . Besides , there must always be more or less danger of embers being blown about by an increasing night breeze , possibly to start an incipient conflagration amidst dead leaves gathered behind some log , and thus cause trouble , for it is often much easier to start a fire than to put one out . It must have been midnight or some time past when the trio of campers were suddenly aroused by a most terrific clamor . It sounded as though all the small boys in Chester had secured dishpans and such instruments of ear torture , and assembled with the idea of giving a village serenade to some newly wedded folks who would be expected to treat the bunch to cakes and fresh cider . Although possibly a bit confused on being so abruptly aroused from sound slumber by such an unearthly din , Steve , as well as Jack and Toby , instantly grasped the stunning truth -- that was the alarm which had been rigged up to give fair warning that their precious stores were being raided . A thief had invaded the camp and unconsciously disclosed his presence in this loud-tongued brazen fashion .