midnight
Tayoga 's tone was cool and matter of fact , but his comrades knew that he was in deadly earnest . At the appointed time he and Tandakora would fight their quarrel out , fight it to the death . In the last analysis Tayoga was an Indian , strong in Indian customs and beliefs . `` Tandakora will come about an hour before midnight , '' said the Onondaga , `` because it will be very dark then and there will yet be plenty of time for his work . He will expect to find everybody asleep , save perhaps an English sentinel whom he can easily tomahawk in the darkness . He does not know that the old Seigneur lies dying , and that they watch by his bed . '' `` In that case , '' said the hunter with his absolute belief in all that Tayoga said , `` we can settle ourselves for quite a wait . ''