nearly midnight
If I only knew positively that the women were safely away , I would tarry no longer in the neighborhood . But I did not know ; I merely hoped . Ebers was lying next me upon the grass , solemnly puffing at his huge pipe , and I held my watch to the glow in its bowl in order to see the time . It was nearly midnight . `` Those fellows ought to be at it before this , '' I said to him , `` if they intend to accomplish anything to-night . '' `` I dink so too , '' he answered slowly . `` I vill see dot der guard is all right , an ' den vill get some sleep , for I am pretty moch done op already . ''