About an hour after midnight
The country became more and more undulating and broken as they advanced , and beyond the second ranche assumed the appearance of a hill country . The valleys were free from trees , though here and there occurred dense thickets of underwood , in which Maxton told them that grizzly-bears loved to dwell -- a piece of information that induced most of the party to carry their rifles in a handy position , and glance suspiciously at every shadow . Large oaks and bay-trees covered the lower slopes of the hills , while higher up the white oak and fir predominated . About an hour after midnight the moon began to descend towards the horizon , and Ned Sinton , who had been unanimously elected commander of the little band , called a halt in the neighbourhood of a rivulet , which flowed round the base of an abrupt cliff whose sides were partially clothed with scrubby bushes . `` We shall encamp here for the night , comrades , '' said he , dismounting ; `` here is water and food for our nags , a fine piece of greensward to spread our blankets on , and a thick-leaved oak to keep the dew off us . Now , Maxton , you are an old campaigner , let us see how soon you 'll have a fire blazing . '' `` I 'll have it ready before you get the camp kettles and pans out , '' answered Maxton , fastening his horse to a tree , seizing an axe , and springing into the woods on the margin of the stream .