midnight
But the horseman had no intention of running away . He replied to Bob 's signal by waving his hand over his head , and after putting away his field-glass rode down the ridge and came toward the station at a gallop . As he approached nearer the troopers saw that he was a stranger , and a very good-looking one , too . He was almost as dark as an Indian , his hair was long enough to reach to his shoulders , and the eyes that looked out from under the peak of his fatigue-cap were as black as midnight and as sharp as those of an eagle . He rode a magnificent horse , and his seat was easy and graceful . His only weapon -- that is , the only one that could be seen -- was a heavy Winchester rifle , which was slung at his back . If he was a soldier , he was a very fancy one , for his cavalry uniform , although in strict keeping with the regulations , was made of the finest material ; he wore white gauntlet gloves on his hands ; and instead of the ungainly , ill-fitting army shoe he wore fine boots , the heels of which were armed with small silver spurs .