midnight
Joel returned after dark . Priest had left Ogalalla , to the north , the same day that Forrest and his employer started up the trail from the south , and at the expected point the two foremen met . The report showed water in abundance from the Republican River northward , confirming Forrest 's assertion to his employer , and completing the chain of waters between Dodge and Ogalalla . Priest returned with the buckboard , which reached the Beaver after midnight , and aroused Joel out of heavy sleep . `` I just wanted to say , '' said Priest , sitting on the edge of Joel 's bunk , `` that I had my ear to the ground and heard the good fighting . Yes , I heard the sleet cracking . You never saw me , but I was with you the night you drifted to the Prairie Dog .