midnight
Horse thieves , too , and cattle `` rustlers '' operating on both sides of `` the line '' added to the general confusion and lawlessness that prevailed and rendered the lives and property of the few pioneer settlers insecure . It was to deal with this situation that the Dominion Government organised and despatched the North West Mounted Police to Western Canada . Immediately upon the advent of this famous corps matters began to improve . The open ravages of the whiskey runners ceased and these daring outlaws were forced to carry on their fiendish business by midnight marches and through the secret trails and coulees of the foothills . The profits of the trade , however , were still great enough to tempt the more reckless and daring of these men . Cattle rustling and horse stealing still continued , but on a much smaller scale . To the whole country the advent of the police proved an incalculable blessing .