midnight
The snow only penetrated in sparse flakes to the thicket here . Although the branches of the trees were dead , they interlaced so closely overhead that they formed ample protection against the wet . But the fury of the gale seemed terrific amongst these trees and the groaning of the branches seemed like weird cries proceeding from hell . Anon , the midnight walker reached the open . Here a carpet of coarse grass peeping through the thin layer of snow gave insecure foothold . He stumbled as he pursued his way . He was walking in the teeth of the northwesterly blast now and he could scarcely breathe , for the great gusts caught his throat , causing him to choke .