midnight
At any rate , instead of our hurrying back to the fort , we will do our best to find father and mother , and stick by them to the end . '' `` I 'm wid ye there , '' was the hearty response of Tim ; `` I 'd like to give Plummer a helping hand , but see no way to do the same , and it is likely that he can get along better widout us than wid us . '' The two talked a long time , for their hearts were full . It was not until midnight that a feeling of drowsiness began creeping over them . Tim 's remarks began to grow slower and more disconnected , until finally he failed to answer at all . Finding that he was asleep , Warren composed himself as comfortably as he could , and soon joined him in the land of dreams . The snow continued sifting softly downward , and rattled against the branches and leaves which composed a portion of their house .