midnight
The night seemed long and wild , and still wilder round his lonely bed . The war was now raging between the United States and Canada . The inhabitants of Cherry Valley had been massacred , and he had come near losing his own life and liberty , and time would only tell what would become of himself and family . The Oneidas knew his home and place of rest , but at present they were his friends ; but how should he escape these western savage tribes , that delighted in kindling the terror-awakening fire , and causing the midnight to glitter with the blaze of some solitary dwelling , whilst they stood at the door with the scalping-knife and tomahawk , to deal the death-blow to the inmates , and triumph with savage glee over their untimely death ? Such were the reflections of Mayall , solitary and alone in his mountain bed , when the wild beasts of the forest were in motion , and no human being within twelve miles of his mountain camp . At length the morning dawned ; the sun arose in all his glory , throwing a rosy blush , as it touched one peak and then another along the Catskill mountains , which he could see clothed in all their autumnal glory above the intervening hills . Long lines of clouds lay along the highest peaks of these mountains , painted with all the hues of vermilion and gold , but soon faded to a leaden hue , as they began to veil the sun .