midnight
Reviewing the situation thoroughly , he informed me that he had cultivated the acquaintance of the parties holding the assignment of the Buford award . He had represented to them that he was the fiscal agent of some six herds on the trail that year , three of which were heavy beeves , and they had agreed to look them over , provided they arrived before the 15th of the month . He further assured me that the parties were mere figureheads of The Supply Company ; that they were exceedingly bearish on the market , gloating over the recent depreciation in prices , and perfectly willing to fatten on the wreck and ruin of others . It was long after midnight when the consultation ended . Appointing an hour for showing the herd the next day , or that one rather , Tussler and I withdrew , agreeing to be out of town before daybreak . But the blaze of gambling and the blare of dance-halls held us as in a siren 's embrace until the lights dimmed with the breaking of dawn . Mounting our horses , we forded the river east of town and avoided the herds , which were just arising from their bed-grounds .