nearly twelve o'clock
After waiting a while , he determined to ascertain , if possible , whether there was any one within the cabin . As he approached the door , there was a low savage growl from the faithful watcher within . Very stealthily he tried to open the door , but it was locked , and in response there was such a furious onset upon the other side , accompanied by such fierce growls , that he started back involuntarily . It was nearly twelve o'clock , and Pete was growing desperate , and anxious to put an end to his long watch . He retreated to the road , and stood looking at the cabin , trying to decide whether he should break in the window and shoot the dog , and run the risk of being shot in return by whoever might be concealed within , when his attention was suddenly arrested by a strange sound , as of heavily muffled footsteps close behind him . He turned quickly , and in the starlight beheld a sight that seemed to chill the blood in his veins . Not more than fifty feet distant , and slowly approaching him , were the spotted horse and his ghostly rider .