midnight
As they scurried along the opposite mountain-side Fortner and Harry fired at them , but without being able to tell whether their shots took effect . The pursuit was carried but a little distance . The wagon was secured and taken up the mountain . A little after midnight the summit was passed , and Fortner led the way into an opening to the right , which eventually brought up at a little level spot in front of a large cave . The horses where unhitched and unsaddled , a fire built , cedar boughs gathered to make a bed on the rocky floor of the cave , and they threw themselves down upon this to sleep the sleep of utter weariness . In the meantime Harry had learned taht the new comers were cousins of Fortner 's , who , being out on a private scouting expedition , had been encountered by Aunt Debby and the others , near the summit of the mountain , and had started back with them to the assistance of Fortner . The sound of firing had so excited them that the suggestion of a charge by Kent Edwards was eagerly acceded to .