midnight
`` I was thinking of hunting up enough wood to start a fire , '' said the captain ; `` but we do n't need it , and I suppose it will be safer without it . '' `` It seems to me , '' observed Ruggles , `` that what we 've got the most to fear is that the Injins will run off with our animals : we would be left in a bad fix . '' `` We must look out for that ; I 'll stand guard the first part of the night . '' Each was ready to take his turn , and it was arranged that Captain Dawson should act as sentinel until midnight , when he would awake Vose Adams , who would assume the duty till morning . Soon afterward , the three wrapped themselves in their blankets and stretched out on the ground , near the boulders , where they speedily sank into deep slumber . It seemed to Adams that he had slept less than an hour , when the captain touched him . Rising immediately to a sitting position , he asked : `` Is it midnight ? ''