midnight
This determination was still unshaken ; the thing held him like a charm , and he sat down , squatting in the grass with his knees drawn up to his chin and his eyes fixed westward , waiting for evening . An hour before sunset he made for the camp , reaching within a mile of it as the light left the sky . He watched the camp fire burning , and made for it . Toward midnight , crawling on his belly , soundless as a snake , he crept right up beside Adams , seized the gun and the cartridge bag , and with them in his hands stood erect . He had no fear now . He knew he could outrun anyone there . He held the gun by the barrels .