midnight
Then Shif ` less Sol and Tom Ross painted him from the waist up in a ghastly manner , and , with their heartfelt wishes for his safety and success , he departed for the camp , the others following in silence not far behind . He soon heard the sound of the chant and he knew that the orgie was proceeding . An Indian dance could last two days and nights without stopping , fresh warriors always replacing those who dropped from exhaustion . It was now far past midnight , and Henry was quite sure that all the hunters had gone . The little party which he and his comrades had fought had probably spread already the tale of a mysterious foe with whom they had met , and who had slain one of their number . And the story , exaggerated much in the telling , would add to the number and power of the evil spirits oppressing the red army . Keeping for the present well hidden in the forest , Henry approached the fires which had now been heaped up to an amazing height , from which lofty flames leaped and which sent off sparks in millions .