about midnight
if he ca n't go on , I 'll stay and die with him '' ; but only , `` He 's _ got _ to go on ! ... and if he refuses ... well -- '' He felt about in his deadened brain , and the best he could bring forth was : `` I wo n't leave him -- _ yet _ . '' * * * * * A mighty river-jam had forced them up on the low range of hills . It was about midnight to judge by the moon -- clear of snow and the wind down . The Boy straightened up at a curious sight just below them . Something black in the moonlight . The Colonel paused , looked down , and passed his hand over his eyes .