ten o’clock
This Mrs Barnett would not allow . A night in the open air would do her no harm ; the shelter of the coppice near would be protection enough for them all ; and Sergeant Long was obliged to submit . The camp was , therefore , moved back some thirty yards from the beach , to a rising ground on which grew a few clumps of pines and willows which could scarcely be called a wood . Towards ten o'clock the disc of the sun began to dip below the horizon , and before it disappeared for the few hours of the night a crackling fire of dead branches was blazing at the camp . Long had now a fine opportunity of drying his legs , of which he gladly availed himself . He and Hobson talked together earnestly until twilight set in , and Mrs Barnett occasionally joined in the conversation , doing the best she could to cheer the disheartened Lieutenant . The sky was bright with stars , and the holy influence of the night could not fail to calm his troubled spirit .