midnight
`` Look ! '' It was Jennie who uttered the exclamation , and there was good cause for it . She was slightly in advance , and was rounding another of the turns of the stream , when she caught sight of a huge black bear , who , instead of staying in some hollow tree or cave , sucking his paw the winter through , was lumbering over the ice in the same direction with themselves . He was near the middle of the frozen current , so that it was prudent for them to turn to the right or left , and was proceeding at an easy pace , as if he was out for a midnight stroll , while he thought over matters . Though one of the stupidest of animals , he was quick to hear the noise behind him and looked back to learn what it meant . Monteith Sterry began drawing the mitten from his right hand with the intention of using his revolver on the bear , when he checked himself with the thought : `` Better to wait until I need it ; the most of this excursion is still before us . '' The lumbering brute came to a stop , with his huge head turned , and surveyed the approaching skaters .