midnight
Kolyvan would be like a fresh starting point , for on leaving that town his journey would take a new form . So long as he traversed a devastated country the difficulties must be very great ; but if , having avoided Tomsk , he could resume the road to Irkutsk across the province of Yeniseisk , which was not yet laid waste , he would finish his journey in a few days . Night came on , bringing with it refreshing coolness after the heat of the day . At midnight the steppe was profoundly dark . The sound of the horses 's hoofs alone was heard on the road , except when , every now and then , its master spoke a few encouraging words . In such darkness as this great care was necessary lest he should leave the road , bordered by pools and streams , tributaries of the Obi . Michael therefore advanced as quickly as was consistent with safety .