midnight
`` We might have known it , '' said Dick , in disgust . `` He always takes the oars up to the barn with him . '' The barn was a good distance off and none of the boys relished running that far for oars . More than this , they felt that by the time the oars were brought the other craft would be out of sight and hearing , and thus the trail of the midnight prowlers would be lost . `` Here is a bit of board , '' said Sam , searching around . `` Let us use that for a paddle . The current will carry us almost as swiftly as if we were rowing .