midnight
`` Canoe miss this bar , and go in the current like hell to the meeting of the waters . Better we keep straight on and watch out . '' As they started down river again , Ainley 's face took on a settled look of anxiety . It was now close on midnight , but very light , and on either bank everything could be clearly seen . They kept a sharp look out , but found no further trace of the missing canoe , and the early dawn found them in a quickening current , racing for the point where the tributary river joined the main stream . Presently it came in sight , and between walls of spruce and a foaming crest of water they swept into the broader river , which rolled its turbid way towards its outfall in one of the great Northern lakes . The canoe pranced like a frightened horse at the meeting of the waters , and when they were safely through it , Ainley looked back and questioned his companion .