midnight
No one dreamed of retiring . No one had thoughts for sleep , nor indeed for anything save the little sufferer in the tent house ten miles out on the Desert . They smoked and talked and swore softly in hushed tones and waited the return of Texas Joe . It was after midnight when he came again . Before he could dismount , the crowd of silent men hemmed him in . From the saddle the old plainsman looked down into their eager solemn faces and that slow smile broke over his sun-blackened features . `` Boys '' he drawled , `` I 'm sure proud to bring you-all the unanimous verdict of the female relief expedition sent out by our illustrious fellow-citizen , Abe Lee .