midnight
The next night would be divided between Obed and Ned . Ned raked up the leaves at the place that he had selected , folded himself between his blankets , and was asleep in five minutes . The last thing that he remembered seeing was the broad figure of the Ring Tailed Panther , sitting with his back against a tree , and his rifle across his knees . But Ned awoke hours later -- after midnight in fact -- although it was not a real awakening , instead a sort of half way station from slumberland . He did not move , but opened his eyes partly , and saw that Urrea was now on guard . The young Mexican was not sitting as the Ring Tailed Panther had been , but was standing some yards away , with his rifle across his shoulder . Ned thought in a vague way that he looked trim and strong , and then his heavy lids dropped down again .