midnight
`` We ought to have some way of signalling , '' he had said as they went out of doors . `` If you get news during the night that the Indians are surely this side of the Platte , of course we want to know at once ; if , on the other hand , you hear they are nowhere within striking distance , it will be a weight off my mind and we can all get a good night 's rest up there . Now , how shall we fix it ? '' After some discussion , it was arranged that Wells should remain on the low porch in front of Farron 's ranch until midnight . The light was to be extinguished there as soon as he arrived , as an assurance that all was well , and it should not again appear during the night unless as a momentary answer to signals they might make . If information were received at Phillips 's that the Indians were south of the Platte , Ralph should fire three shots from his carbine at intervals of five seconds ; and if they heard that all was safe , he should fire one shot to call attention and then start a small blaze out on the bank of the stream , where it could be plainly seen from Farron 's . Wells was to show his light half a minute when he recognized the signal .