midnight
He drank at the river , washed himself , and lay down on the bank to sleep . By this time , so far had his idea progressed , that he cared nothing for the possible dangers of the night -- he confided in his star . Branchspell set , the day faded , night with its terrible weight came on , and through it all Maskull slept . Long before midnight , however , he was awakened by a crimson glow in the sky . He opened his eyes , and wondered where he was . He felt heaviness and pain . The red glow was a terrestrial phenomenon ; it came from among the trees .