twelve o'clock at night
Bill told me that the path would lead almost direct to the spot , and that I could not fail to recognize it , as thousands of sheep resort there every week for the purpose of licking the salt that is constantly forming under the action of brackish water and a burning sun . '' `` And Mount Tarrengower -- how far is that from the place indicated ? '' I inquired . `` Not more than a mile , I should judge , for at twelve o'clock at night the full moon , partly concealed by the mountain , throws a shadow exactly upon the edge of the spot where we are to dig . '' I considered the direction rather blind , but Mr. Brown seemed so confident that I thought I would not dash his spirits by grave misgivings . I was in a reflective mood , however , while assisting to pack up , and saddle our animals , and I thought how Fred would laugh if we returned empty-handed . We mounted our animals and rode along the bank of the stream for a few rods , until we reached what we supposed to be a good fording place , for we saw the prints of animals ' feet in profusion on both sides of the brook .