midnight
They passed through large groves and they hoped that they might soon enter a great forest in which they could hide their trail wholly from the Lipans . They crossed two considerable streams , knee deep on the horses , and then they entered the forest for which they had hoped so much . It was of oaks without much undergrowth and the ground was hilly . They rode through it until past midnight . Then they stopped by the edge of a blue pool , and while the other watched with the rifle each took the bath that he had coveted so long . `` I feel that I can fight battles and also run better now that I 've got rid of ten pounds of sand and dust , '' said Obed , `` and I guess you feel the same way , Ned . I suppose you 've noticed that the other horse has gone lame , too ? ''