midnight
A rabbit-skin sleeping-robe , a muzzle - loading rifle , and a few pounds of sun-dried salmon constituted his outfit . He would have marvelled that a whole people -- women and children and aged -- could travel so swiftly , had he not known the terror that drove them on . It was in the old days of the Russian occupancy of Alaska , when the nineteenth century had run but half its course , that Negore fled after his fleeing tribe and came upon it this summer night by the head waters of the Pee-lat . Though near the midnight hour , it was bright day as he passed through the weary camp . Many saw him , all knew him , but few and cold were the greetings he received . `` Negore , the Coward , '' he heard Illiha , a young woman , laugh , and Sun-ne , his sister 's daughter , laughed with her . Black anger ate at his heart ; but he gave no sign , threading his way among the camp-fires until he came to one where sat an old man .