midnight
Of this I was satisfied , yet with the realization there came a sudden comprehension of my own helplessness to be of any aid . I was alone , unmounted , and with no weapon but an old pistol . There might be other weapons on those dead men below , but I could conceive of no effective way of making them useful . The raiders were doubtless on horseback ; they would have added to their possessions such animals as might have remained on the place , and most likely had departed not later than midnight with their booty and prisoners . The hopelessness of the situation left me almost paralyzed . I possessed no means of reaching Farrell , no knowledge of the nearest minute man who could act as courier . From the window where I stood not a house was visible .