midnight
He went on for hours , halting the team now and then for a few minutes ' rest . He struck a match each time and looked at Pelliter . His comrade breathed heavily , with his eyes closed . Once , long after midnight , he opened them and stared at the flare of the match and into MacVeigh 's white face . `` I 'm all right , Billy , '' he said . `` Let me walk -- '' MacVeigh forced him back gently , and went on . He was alone until the first cold , gray break of dawn .