midnight
When he awoke , he found that the promise of the night was fulfilled . It was quite dark , with clouds and light flurries of rain . There was no moon . It was past midnight , and the Indian encampment , both on land and water , showed no sign of movement . The woods were without camp fires , but at the far bank of the river several lights could be seen . The river itself was in shadow . Most of the people at the fort , exhausted by their long labors and watches , were asleep , but Henry and his five comrades gathered near the spring , carrying with them three little iron pots , carefully covered with tin tops .