midnight
We were unshaven and brown as Indians . We lost every ounce of fat , but we were steel-sinewed , and fear , that wearing element that disintegrates the soul , dropped away from us early on the trail . But when the full moon came sweeping up the sky , and all the prairie shadows lay flat to earth under its surge of clear light , in the stillness of the great lonely land , then the battle with home-sickness was not the least of the plains ' perils . One midnight watch of such a night , Jondo sat out my vigil with me . Our eighty or more wagons were drawn up in a rude ellipse with the stock corraled inside , for we were nearing the danger zone . And yet to-night danger seemed impossible in such a peaceful land under such clear moonlight . `` Gail , you were always a far-seeing youngster , even in your cub days , '' Jondo said , after we had sat silent for a long time .