midnight
The best-looking girl I ever saw was down in the lower Rio Grande country , and she was milking a goat . Theodore , my dear fellow , when I 'm led blushingly to the altar , you 'll be proud of my choice . I 'm a judge of beauty . ' '' It was after midnight when we disposed of the first oven of pigeon pot-pie , and , wrapping ourselves in blankets , lay down around the fire . With the first sign of dawn , we were aroused by Mr. Nathan and Uncle Lance to witness the return flight of the birds to their feeding grounds . Hurrying to the nearest opening , we saw the immense flight of pigeons blackening the sky overhead . Stiffened by their night 's rest , they flew low ; but the beauty and immensity of the flight overawed us , and we stood in mute admiration , no one firing a shot .