midnight
Nothing was in sight but wild game , scattered here and there , and he soon came down and prepared to take a rest on his own account . `` They 'll not pass till afternoon , '' he muttered , `` and I may as well rest a few hours while I can in peace and safety . '' He took a long and curious look at the form of his sleeping traveling companion , and a strange smile flitted over his face , as he muttered : `` A mystery , but I can solve it . '' If ever a man was astonished , when he responded to that after midnight signal at the mouth of Dead Man 's Hollow , it was the outlaw , Persimmon Bill . He came from his place of concealment expecting to meet the Texan with news , and found instead Addie Neidic , and with her , on a pack horse , all the wealth and apparel she had in the world . `` Addie , love , what does this mean ? '' he cried , as she sprang from the horse and threw herself into his arms .