nearly nine o'clock
Dick looked anxiously at his mate . There was an immediate danger that the outlaws might be starved out . ` Parrot 's goin ' to fetch some , ' he said brightly . Parrot promised to do his best for them , but , although they waited till nearly nine o'clock in hungry anticipation , he did not return that night . The last carrot was eaten , and a cautious excursion to Summers ' orchard produced nothing , Maori 's warning bark driving the boys back to the Gaol Quarry , empty and disconsolate . Billy could hold out no longer , but he did not meditate an open desertion . ` I 'll jes ' sneak round our house till I get a chance to slip in an ' shake a junk o ' bread or somethin' ; then I 'll come right back an ' we 'll go halves , ' he said .