the hours after midnight
One was to be awake all night as guard ; though , of course , all took turns , each awaking the sentinel whose watch was to follow his . To the doctor was assigned the first two hours , and as we went to sleep , we could perceive his plump rounded form seated upon the outer rim of the circular bank above us . None of us had any great faith in the doctor as a guard , but his watch was during the least dangerous time of night , so far as Indians are concerned . These never make their attack until the hours after midnight , as they know well that these are the hours of soundest sleep . The horse-drive of the previous night was an exception , but that had happened because they had drawn near and seen no horse-guard . It was a very unusual case . They knew that we were now on the alert ; and if they had meditated farther mischief , would have attempted it only after midnight hour .