midnight
We wandered through the various gambling houses , drinking moderately , meeting an occasional acquaintance from Texas , and in the course of our rounds landed in the Dew-Drop-In dance hall . Here might be seen the frailty of women in every grade and condition . From girls in their teens , launching out on a life of shame , to the adventuress who had once had youth and beauty in her favor , but was now discarded and ready for the final dose of opium and the coroner 's verdict , -- all were there in tinsel and paint , practicing a careless exposure of their charms . In a town which has no night , the hours pass rapidly ; and before we were aware , midnight was upon us . Returning to the gambling house where we had left Priest , we found him over a hundred dollars winner , and , calling his attention to the hour , persuaded him to cash in and join us . We felt positively rich , as he counted out to each partner his share of the winnings ! Straw was missing to receive his , but we knew he could be found on the morrow , and after a round of drinks , we forded the river .