midnight
With the darkness his anxiety deepened . A thousand chances might befall to bring disaster before he could reach us . The hours of the black night dragged on , and northward still the priest hurried . It was long after midnight when he found himself on the bluff opposite the town . Between him and Springvale the Neosho rushed madly , and the oak grove of the bottom land was only black treetops above , and water below . All hope of a safe passage across the river here vanished , for he durst not try the angry waters . `` There must have been heavier rains here than down the stream , '' he thought .