midnight
Old Jack , as usual , rubbed his nose against the boy 's arm . The horse was a source of great comfort and strength to Ned . He always believed that he would have collapsed without him . As nearly as he could guess the time it was about halfway between midnight and morning , and in order to preserve his strength he forced himself to eat a little more . A half hour 's rest , and remounting he resumed his slow progress by the river . The rest had been good for both his horse and himself , and the blood felt warmer in his veins . He moved for some time among trees and thickets that lined the banks , and after a while he recognized familiar ground .