midnight
It was not to be supposed that such a powerful and brave tribe as those on the other side , would live in a country abounding in streams , without finding need of such craft . But because he had not seen them , was no proof that they were not in existence . They may have been drawn up among the trees , their precise location known only to their owners . The prospect of holding his place for several hours , with his senses at a high tension , was not an inviting one , for he did not expect the savages to make their attempt before midnight ; all such people aiming to surprise their enemies when wrapped in profound slumber . But Ashman had not been at his station a half hour , when , to his amazement , he discovered that something was going on across the river directly opposite . Despite the strong moonlight , he was unable to guess for a long time what it meant . He first heard a splash , as though a body had fallen or been thrown into the water , and then , for several minutes , everything was still as before .