midnight
Rowing was still easy , and Peter was husbanding every ounce of his strength for the pull home . None of the men spoke as the boat slipped down between the banks of dry mud on either side of the river . Some reeds whispered by the shore , and a startled bird woke now and then and flew screaming away . The moon shone fitfully sometimes , but for the most part the night was dark , and the darkness increased towards midnight . Once or twice the breeze carried the intoxicating smell of flowers from the river-bank . It was difficult for Toffy , although he had been down the river many times , to know exactly his bearings . They passed a little settlement on their starboard hand , and saw a few lights burning in the houses .