midnight
The sand was blinding , the alkali dust choking , the ride for five or six hours was up considerable grade ; still they had accomplished their 150 miles before resting for the night at Elko , even at this period a flourishing little village on the banks of the Humboldt . After another smothering ride on the 23d , they rested , at Winnemucca , another flourishing village , situated at the precise point in the desert where the Little Humboldt joins Humboldt River , without , however , making the channel fuller or wider . The 24th was decidedly the hardest day , their course lying through the worst part of the terrible Nevada desert . But a glimpse of the Sierras looming in the western horizon gave them courage and strength enough to reach Wadsworth , at their foot , a little before midnight . Our travellers had now but one day 's journey more to make before reaching the railroad at Cisco , but , this being a very steep ascent nearly all the way up , each mile cost almost twice as much time and exertion . At last , late in the evening of Christmas Day , amidst the most enthusiastic cheers of all the inhabitants of Cisco , who welcomed them with a splendid pine brand procession , Marston and his friends , thoroughly used up , feet swelled , limbs bruised , bones aching , stomachs seasick , eyes bleared , ears ringing , and brains on fire for want of rest , took their places in the State Car waiting for them , and started without a moment 's delay for Sacramento , about a hundred miles distant . How delicious was the change to our poor travellers !