midnight
`` Do not try the northern way , Texan , '' he said , `` it is too far . Go over the mountains to Vera Cruz , where you will find passage on a ship . '' It seemed good advice to Ned , and , although the change of plan was abrupt , he promised to take it . Juana gave him a bag of food which he fastened to his belt under his serape , and at midnight , with the blessing of the Holy Virgin invoked for him again , he started . Fifty yards away he turned and saw the man and woman standing before their door and gazing at him . He waved his hand and they returned the salute . He walked on again a little mist before his eyes .