midnight
Accordingly , after some further conversation , four of the party proceeded for the body of Millbanks -- with which they soon returned -- while Boone conducted the ladies away from the scene of horror , and down to where Ella informed him the canoes were hidden , leaving his younger companions to rifle and scalp the savages if they chose . In a few minutes from his arrival at the point in question , he was joined by the others , who came slowly , in silence , bearing the mortal remains of Millbanks and Beecher . Placing the canoes in the water , the whole party entered them , in the same silent and solemn manner , and pulled slowly down the Miami , into the middle of the Ohio ; then leaving the vessels to float with the current , they uncovered their heads , and mournfully consigned the bodies of the deceased to the watery element . It was a sad and impressive scene -- there , on the turbid Ohio , near the midnight hour -- to give to the rolling waters the last remains of those who had been their friends and companions , and as full of life and activity as themselves but an hour before ; -- it was a sad , impressive , and affecting scene -- one that was looked upon with weeping eyes -- and one which , by those who witnessed it , was never to be forgotten . There were no loud bursts of grief -- there were no frantic exclamations of woe -- but the place , the hour , and withal the various events which had transpired to call them so soon from a scene of festivity to one of mourning -- together with the thoughts of other friends departed , or in terrible captivity -- served to render it a most painfully solemn one -- and one , as we said before , that was destined never to be forgotten . For a short space after the river engulphed the bodies , all gazed upon the waters in silence ; when Boone said , in a voice slightly trembling . `` They did their duties -- they have gone -- God rest their souls , and give peace to their bones ! ''