midnight
It was thick and dark ; and there was a rustling and crackling on every side , as the dogs went bounding among the underwood -- their ears and tails erected , and opening from time to time in quick , sharp barkings , sure indications that they deemed themselves near the close of their journey . The trees began to open ; and , descending an abrupt ice declivity , the travellers found themselves on the edge of a narrow creek , that went winding into the interior , between steep banks laden with huge piles of snow , which , hollowed by the blast into a thousand fantastic forms , hung bellying over the level . A log-house , buried half-way to the eaves in front , and overtopped by an immense wreath behind -- resembling some hapless vessel in the act of foundering -- occupied an inflection of the bank opposite the promontory ; and in a few minutes the travellers had crossed the creek , and stood fronting the door . `` Ah , no kindly smoke comes frae the lum , Innes , '' said Sandy , leaping out of the car ; `` all dark , too , as midnight at Yule ; but we maun just bestir ourselves , and get up a blaze . Do exert yourself , my bonny man , or we shall perish yet . Unfasten the dogs , and be sure you hang up the harness out of their reach , or the puir hungry wratches will eat it up , every snap , afore morning . Unfasten the door , too , and get out our driest skins and driest tinder ; and I , meanwhile , shall provide you with brushwood aneugh to keep up a bonfire till morning . ''