midnight
-- as a matter of course . ` Today . ' A murmur of surprise passed round the circle . And well it might ; for it was just midnight , and seventy-five miles of rough river trail was not to be sneered at for a twelve hours ' run . The talk soon became impersonal , however , harking back to the trails of childhood . As the young stranger ate of the rude fare Malemute Kid attentively studied his face . Nor was he long in deciding that it was fair , honest , and open , and that he liked it .