midnight
There was wood enough and to spare ; when the fire sank low and the hungry eyes gleamed nearer , I fed it again , and the flame leaped up and mocked the eyes . No human enemy came upon us . The fire blazed and roared , and the man who lay in its rosy glare raved on , crying out now and then at the top of his voice ; but on that night of all nights , of all years , light and voice drew no savage band to put out the one and silence the other forever . Hours passed , and as it drew toward midnight Diccon sank into a stupor . I knew that the end was not far away . The wolves were gone at last , and my fire was dying down . He needed my touch upon his breast no longer , and I went to the stream and bathed my hands and forehead , and then threw myself face downward upon the bank .