about midnight
My decision was made quickly . `` We will take the first turn to the left , and have a look at the place , '' I said . `` Conroy , you and Tom ride ahead , and keep your eyes open . '' We reached the hollow where the big tree stood , about midnight , but found little reward . The house on the hill had been burned to the ground . Near the tree , however , we discovered evidence of recent camp-fires , one not yet cold , and apparently there had been quite a body of men camped there lately . Conroy manufactured a torch , and scouted about , finally reporting : `` I do n't know how many were here , sir , altogether , but there was a lot o ' horses picketed over near the creek .