midnight
She moaned helplessly : `` O my people , my own people ! '' and Kut-le eyed her with unfathomable gaze . As soon as lunch was finished , camp was broken . All the rest of the day and until toward midnight they wound up a wretched trail that circled the mountain ranges , For hours , Kut-le did not speak to Rhoda . These days of Rhoda 's contempt were very hard on him . The touch of her hand that morning , the old note in her voice , still thrilled him . At midnight as they watched the squaws unroll her blankets , he touched her shoulder .