midnight
As the scout heard the talk about himself he chuckled grimly and grasped his rifle tighter than ever . `` Reckon you 'd be surprised to know I was so close , '' he muttered . `` Well , if it comes to a mix-up , I 'll try to hold up my end , just you see if I do n't ! '' It was after midnight when the camp settled down to rest . Fetter had not returned , and Matt Gilroy was much worried in consequence . Yet he was tired out , having lost a good portion of the night previous in traveling , and he lay down with the others . The guards at the entrance to the cave had been changed .