midnight
At all times he had been master of the situation , and as he drew them southward , he fulfilled his duty at the same time and enjoyed his sport . Everything had fallen out as he planned , and now , with the night at hand , he shook them off . Through the day he had eaten dried venison from his pouch , as he ran , and he felt no need to stop for food . So , he did not cease the flight until after midnight when he lay down again in a thicket and slept soundly until daylight . He rose again , refreshed , and faster than ever sped on his swift way toward Wareville . Wareville lay in its pleasant valley , rejoicing in the young spring , so kind with its warm rains that the men of the village foresaw a great season for crops . The little river flowed in a silver current , smoke rose from many chimneys , and now and then the red homemade linsey dress of a girl gleamed in the sunlight like the feathers of the scarlet tanager .