midnight before
Let 's go in and see the poor old man , an ' then I 'll tell you both the story . '' Mr. Stevens 's voice was heard from the inside of the wagon as he spoke Dick 's name ; Margie clambered out , her big brown eyes heavy with slumber , to greet her brother , and the boy was forced to receive her caresses before it was possible to care for the broncho . Then , as soon as might be , Dick entered the wagon , and the hand-clasp from his father was sufficient reward for all his sufferings in the desert . It was midnight before he finished telling of his journey , and reception by the men of Antelope Spring . He would have kept secret the peril which came to him with the sand-storm ; but his father questioned him so closely that it became necessary to go into all the details , and more than once before the tale was concluded did his mother press him lovingly to her as she wiped the tears from her eyes . `` You must n't cry now it is all over , '' he said with a smile , as he returned the warm pressure of her hand . `` I 'm none the worse for havin ' been half buried , an ' we 're rich .