Midnight
Now and then a far-away but penetrating odor reminded him of another night animal on the prowl . His wisdom in following the railroad track instead of the road was evident . It was longer but it led through the mountains at the lowest places . Midnight found him nearly out of the mountains , standing , tired but not exhausted , on the edge of a decline , looking over miles of the semi-flat country to a dark spot where one or two lights twinkled faintly and which he knew was Conejo . `` Old Swartz is still on the job , '' he reflected , as he rolled himself in his blanket and settled down for a nap . He had built a small fire and lay with his feet almost in it . He stared ahead of him over the road which he must travel before he could reach his destination and though his trip was only half made he felt as though he were already there , so encouraging was the sight of Swartz ' night light .