midnight
She had battled with herself all the way , and she had conquered . Right was right , and Rube Haman must not be hung for what he did not do . Her heart hardened whenever she thought of the woman , but softened again when she thought of Ba ' tiste , who had to suffer for the deed of a brother in `` purgatore . '' Once again the night and its silence and loneliness followed her , the only living thing near the trail till long after midnight . After that , as she knew , there were houses here and there where she might have rested , but she pushed on unceasing . At daybreak she fell in with a settler going to Askatoon with his dogs . Seeing how exhausted she was , he made her ride a few miles upon his sledge ; then she sped on ahead again till she came to the borders of Askatoon .