midnight
They were sufficiently provocative of revenge ; and , from the manner of my comrade , and the vows he occasionally uttered , I could perceive that he would be as eager in the pursuit as myself . In all probability , an encounter with the migrating party would bring about an important change in their programme : since the young hunter was determined , as he expressed himself , `` to force the durned skunk into a fight . '' Inspired by such motives , we pressed on to the end of our journey ; and reached the mouth of the Obion , after a long and wearisome ride . It was midnight when we arrived upon the shore of the Mississippi -- at its point of confluence with the Tennessean stream . The land upon which we stood was scarcely elevated above the surface of the water ; and covered , every foot of it , with a forest of the cotton-wood poplar , and other water-loving trees . These extending along the marshy borders of both streams , hindered us from having a view of their channels . To obtain this , it was necessary to climb one of the trees ; and my comrade being disabled , the task devolved upon me .