midnight
`` To a place of safety and of rest , '' replied the guide , `` and to one that is nigh at hand ; where we may lodge us , with little fear of Injuns , until such time as the waters shall bate a little , or the stars give us light to cross them at a place where are no evil Shawnees to oppose us . And then , friend as to slipping by these foolish creatures who make such bright fires on the public highway , truly , with little Peter 's assistance , we can do it with great ease . '' `` Let us not delay , '' said Roland ; and added sullenly , `` though where a place of rest and safety can be found in these detestable woods , I can no longer imagine . '' `` It is a place of rest , at least for the dead , '' said Nathan , in a low voice , at the same time leading the party back again up the bank , and taking care to shelter them as he ascended , as much as possible , from the light of the fire , which was now blazing with great brilliancy : `` nine human corpses , -- father and mother , grandam and children , -- sleep under the threshold at the door ; and there are not many , white men or Injuns , that will , of their free will , step over the bosoms of the poor murdered creatures , after nightfall ; and , the more especially , because there are them that believe they rise at midnight , and roam round the house and the clearings , mourning . Yet it is a good hiding-place for them that are in trouble ; and many a night have little Peter and I sheltered us beneath the ruined roof , with little fear of either ghosts or Injuns ; though , truly , we have sometimes heard strange and mournful noises among the trees around us . It is but a poor place and a sad one ; but it will afford thee weary women a safe resting-place till such time as we can cross the river . '' These words of Nathan brought to Roland 's recollection the story of the Ashburns , whom Bruce had alluded to , as having been all destroyed at their Station in a single night by the Indians , and whose tragical fate , perhaps , more than any other circumstance , had diverted the course of travel from the ford , near to which they had seated themselves , to the upper , and , originally , less frequented one .