midnight
At dusk he slipped away , the splash of his horse 's feet in the ford coming fainter and fainter , even as the hearts of some felt fainter as his wise and sturdy counsel left them . Naught to do now but to wait . They did wait -- the women and children , the old , the ill and the wounded huddled shivering and crying in the scooped-out sand , hardest and coldest of beds ; the men in line against the barricade , a circle of guards outside the wagon park . But midnight passed , and the cold hours of dawn , and still no sign came of an attack . Men began to believe the dust cloud of yesterday no more than a false alarm , and the leaders were of two minds , whether to take Jackson 's counsel and wait for the Missourians , or to hook up and push on as fast as possible to Bridger 's fort , scarce more than two hard days ' journey on ahead . But before this breakfast-hour discussion had gone far events took the decision out of their hands . `` Look ! ''