midnight
Some business had kept him at Eaux Bonnes , till the arrival of the strangers ; and learning their intentions , he had reserved the prize for them . He had now brought his dogs -- two great creatures they were , evidently of lupine descent -- and with these Bruin might be baited till he should come forth from his cave . But that plan was only to be tried as a last resource . The better way would be to wait till the bear started out on his midnight ramble , -- a thing he would be sure to do , -- then close up the mouth of the cave , and lie in ambush for his return . He would `` not come home till morning , '' said the izzard-hunter ; and they would have light to take aim , and fire at him from their different stations . It seemed a feasible plan , and as our adventurers now placed themselves in the hands of the native hunter , it was decided they should halt where they were , kindle a fire , and make themselves as comfortable as they could , until the hour when Bruin might be expected to go out upon his midnight prowl . A roaring fire was kindled ; and Pouchskin 's capacious haversack being turned inside out , all four were soon enjoying their dinner-supper with that zest well-known to those who have ridden twenty miles up a steep mountain-road .