about midnight
`` At nightfall we sent two scouts ahead , but before they left us they took the oath of the pipe in token of their loyalty . You all know the ancient war custom . A lighted pipe was held toward them and each one solemnly touched it , after which it was passed as usual . `` We followed more slowly , and at about midnight we came to the place where our scouts had agreed to meet us . They were to return from a reconnaissance of the camp and report on what they had seen . It was a lonely spot , and the night was very cold and still . We sat there in the snowy woods near a little creek and smoked in silence while we waited .