about
midnight
Archilete was still absent . I had warned my comrades not to picket our horses at too great a distance from the tents : as we knew not how soon we might need them . Little thought I , as I delivered this cautionary counsel , that within the hour -- nay , almost within that minute -- we should be hastening to mount and be gone ! Our idea had been that some time about midnight -- perhaps later -- when the camp should be buried in sleep -- Lilian , already warned that we were in wait for her , would steal forth and join us at the tents . Thence , trusting to the speed of our horses , we should find no difficulty in escaping -- even though pursuit might be given on the instant of our departure . We were all well-mounted -- as well , at least , as the Mormons could be -- and with a guide who knew the passes , we should have the advantage of them . It did not occur to Marian or myself , that that very moment might have been more appropriate for flight , than the hour of midnight or any other .