midnight
`` That will be no matter , '' said Jonas . `` Only you 'll get lost , and buried up in the snow . '' `` No , '' said Jonas ; `` there might be some danger to-morrow evening , after it shall have been snowing four and twenty hours ; but not to-night . The snow will not be more than a foot deep at midnight . '' When they had got as many of the rafters upon the sled as Jonas thought the oxen could conveniently draw , he secured the load by the chains , and collected the rest of the sticks together a little , on the ground . Then he told Josey to climb up to the top of the load and ride . He said that he would walk along by the side of the oxen .