midnight
A wall of shadow was thrown out from one of the banks , except for occasional short distances , where the course of the stream was directly toward or from the orb . When Sterry again glanced at his watch it was a few minutes past ten . They had rested longer than any one suspected . `` Mother wo n't look for us before midnight , '' remarked Fred , `` and we can easily make it in that time . '' `` She was so anxious , '' said the sister , who , despite her light-heartedness , was more thoughtful than her brother , `` that I would like to please her by getting back sooner than she expects . '' `` We have only to keep up this pace to do it , '' said Monteith , `` for we have been resting fully a half hour -- '' He paused abruptly . From some point in the wintry wilderness came a dismal , resounding wail , apparently a mile distant .