eleven o'clock
`` Well , then , '' said Bramble , `` my idea is this . You see there are but twelve old soldiers to guard us ; for you may be certain that , before long , all the privateer 's men will be as drunk as owls -- that 's but natural ; not that I think of coming to any fight with them , but I make the observation because , if we get out , we shall have little to fear afterward . Now , you see , I asked for the straw because the idea came in my head that it might be useful . You see , what I propose is , as there is plenty of wood in this part of the church , that we should wait till about three hours after dark -- that is , until ten or eleven o'clock -- and then set fire to the church . They must come and let us out , you know ; at least I take it for granted that they will before the roof comes down . If they do n't , we must force the doors ourselves -- I 've looked at them -- and until we do there is no fear of suffocating , for there are no panes to the windows . So , after all , it will only be a bonfire , without danger to anybody . ''