midnight before
Jack Lumley accompanied us at first , but another small party of Indians had come in to stay at the fort at that time , and although he had , I am certain , a very strong desire to go further , with his usual self-sacrificing spirit when duty pointed another way , he turned and left us at the end of a few miles . I spent the night in the snow-bivouac as arranged , and continued to journey onward with the party next day , until Macnab refused to let me go another step . `` Now , Max , '' he said , laughingly , `` you must turn here . Why , man , it will be midnight before you get in , good walker though you be . Come , good-bye . '' `` Well , well , I suppose it 's better to turn since you seem tired of my company , '' said I , turning to Jessie , who stood up in her sleigh to shake hands . `` Good-bye , Miss Macnab . ''