midnight
A bleak dawn was breaking in melancholy mists over the Everglades . The lonely expanse of swamp and metallic water , of grass-flats and tangled wilds , loomed indistinctly out of the half light in sinister skeleton . Keela glanced with furtive compassion at the haggard face of the rider behind her . Since midnight he had ridden in utter silence , growing whiter it seemed as the night waned . `` Another hour ! '' said Keela in her soft , clear voice . `` Be of courage .