midnight
`` Den go back -- play wid Alice . '' And off she ran to rejoin her companion , while the delighted lad picked up his prize and brought it to camp . Turning that and his knife over to his mother , he made a fire ready to pass the night , full of thankfulness that all had gone so well . Ben agreed to stand watch until near midnight , and then allow his mother to help him at the necessary duty . While the simple preparations were going on , Linna knelt on the bare ground with her ear pressed to the earth . Almost instantly she raised her head and whispered : `` Somebody comin ' dis way -- guess be Injins ! '' This was alarming news .