Midnight
So far this was satisfactory ; I knew how well acquainted he was with the ways of the Indians , and that he was not likely to be surprised . His ear would be quick to detect the sound of their approach ; his keen eye would be able to pierce far through the gloom of night . Should any parties , therefore , be moving about , I trusted that he would manage to avoid them . Midnight came at last , and so tranquil did all remain around that , had we not seen the Indian camp-fires blazing up in the distance , we should not have supposed that the enemy was near us . Our guests were still asleep with their arms by their sides , ready for instant use . For one thing I was glad that Rose and Letty were safe at Fort Ross , though I had no doubt that they would have behaved as courageously as any girls under the circumstances could have done , and if they had not fired the muskets , would have helped to load them , and would have tended any who were wounded . We showed no lights from the fort , which might have let the Indians know that we were on the watch .