half past five
`` We are sure up against it , '' remarked Jack , after he and his cousin had looked at each other rather helplessly . It was darker than ever , and the snow still continued to sift down through the trees . `` Maybe we 'll have to stay out here all night , '' said Fred , after consulting his watch . `` It 's half past five now . '' `` We ought to be on the way back to the Hall if we expect any supper , '' replied his cousin . Being unable to advance further in that direction , the Rover boys sought to retrace their steps , and after considerable trouble managed to return to the sheet of water they had left a while before . But by this time the darkness of night had fallen .