About midnight
As a natural consequence , such maniacs , for they are little else , are feared by all , and even brave men feel the necessity of being unusually careful while in their company . Among the various wild deeds committed by Jake and his men was one which led them into serious trouble and proved fatal to their chief . Coming to a village , or small town , one night they resolved to have a regular spree , and for this purpose encamped a short way outside the town till it should be quite dark . About midnight the outlaws , to the number of eight , entered the town , each armed with a Winchester and a brace of revolvers . Scattering themselves , they began a tremendous fusillade , as fast as they could fire , so that nearly the whole population , supposing the place was attacked by Indians , turned out and fled to the mountains behind the town . The Flint and his men made straight for the chief billiard room , which they found deserted , and there , after helping themselves to all the loose cash available , they began to drink . Of course they soon became wild under the influence of the liquor , but retained sense enough to mount their horses and gallop away before the people of the place mustered courage to return and attack the foe .