midnight
It was on this subject father and son had quarrelled and parted ; but for all that , James Lorimer could not see his only son taking a high road to ruin , and not make an effort to save him . At sundown he rested a little , but the trail was so fresh he determined to ride on . He might reach David while they were camping , and then he could talk matters over with more ease and freedom . Near midnight the great white Texas moon flooded everything with a light wondrously soft , but clear as day , and he easily found Whaley 's camp -- a ten-acre patch of grass on the summit of some low hills . The cattle had all settled for the night , and the `` watch '' of eight men were slowly riding in a circle around them . Lorimer was immediately challenged ; and he gave his name and asked to see the captain . Whaley rose at once , and confronted him with a cool , civil movement of his hand to his hat .