midnight
Wingate and his aids , Banion , Jackson , Bridger , the pick of the hardier men , went out for all the night . It was to Banion , Bridger and Jackson that most attention now was paid . Banion could not yet locate Woodhull in the train . The scouts crept out ahead of the last picket line , for though an attack in mass probably would not come before dawn , if the Sioux really should cross the river , some horse stealing or an attempted stampede might be expected before midnight or soon after . The night wore on . The fires of willow twigs and _ bois des vaches _ fell into pale coals , into ashes . The chill of the Plains came , so that the sleepers in the great wagon corral drew their blankets closer about them as they lay .