midnight
He dwelt somewhat indignantly to himself on this circumstance , and half unconsciously faced defiantly towards the plain below . But it was sleeping peacefully in the full sight of the moon , without life or motion . He looked at the stars , it was still far from midnight . His companions had no doubt long since returned to the cabin to prepare for their midnight journey . They were discussing him , perhaps laughing at him , or worse , pitying him and his bargain . Yet here was his bargain ! A slight laugh he gave vent to here startled him a little , it sounded so hard and so unmirthful , and so unlike , as he oddly fancied what he really _ thought _ .