midnight
`` Mariposa , I have long searched for gold , '' said Alfonso , `` but finally I lost courage , became sick , and you know the rest . You have a ring of beaten gold on your finger , did it come from near here ? '' `` My father gave it to me , '' was all that Mariposa would say about the ring as they separated for the night . It was past midnight when Alfonso felt someone pulling at his shoulder . There in the moonlight stood Mariposa beckoning him to come . Quickly dressing , Alfonso left his tent without speaking as the maiden put her fingers to her lips , and quietly following Mariposa they walked by the silver stream into a wild gorge . Graceful pines afforded cover for Mariposa and Alfonso , as swift of foot , they scaled high cliffs , till the Indian girl held aloft her hand , and above in a cleft of white quartz the yellow gold shone brightly in the moon 's rays .