midnight
After some time passed in the animated and cheery interchange of inquiries and opinions , which usually succeeds on the meeting of anxiously-sought or expected friends , Claud and Phillips , having by this time warmed and measurably rested themselves , took hold with Carvil and Mark Elwood in dressing and cooking for supper and for breakfast the next morning , Claud 's goose , and a pair of fine ducks from a flock which the two latter had encountered just before reaching camp that afternoon ; and , after completing this process with their good supply of game , and the more agreeable one of eating so much of it as served for a hearty supper , they drew up an extra quantity of fuel for the large fire which they felt it would be necessary to keep up through the night ; and then , seating themselves in camp , went into an earnest consultation on the measures and movements next to be taken . When , in view of the lateness of the season , coupled as it was with the alarming portents of an immediate storm , which they had all noticed , it was unanimously determined that they should embark , early next morning , for head-quarters on the Maguntic , where Gaut Gurley , instead of preparing to come round again , as was now nearly his usual time to do , would , under the altered aspect of things , doubtless be awaiting them , and making arrangements for the return of all to the settlement . Then , building up a fire of solid logs , for long burning , the tired woodsmen drew up their bough-pillows towards the entrance of the camp , so as to bring their feet near the fire , closely wrapped their thick blankets around them , lay down , and were soon buried in sound slumber . And it was well for them that they were thus early taking their needed rest ; for , soon after midnight , they were awakened by the lively undulations of the piercing cold air that was driving and whistling through the sides of their camp , and by the puffs of suffocating smoke that the eddying winds were ever and anon driving from their fire directly into their faces . One after another they rose , and ran out to see what had caused the , to them , sudden change that had occurred in the air since they went to sleep . And they were not long in ascertaining the truth . The expected storm had set in , with that low , deep commotion of the elements , and that slowly gathering impetus , which , as may often be noted at the commencement of great storms , was but the too certain prelude of its increase and duration .