midnight
On the very night of all these happenings , the canoe containing Donald Hester and Paymaster Bullen entered the Detroit river , and began to stem its swift current , moving silently and in blackest shadows . Hoping to run the long gantlet of the channels , and reach the fort before daylight , they strained every nerve to the attainment of this purpose . They , too , had heard the defiant boom of the distant sunset gun , announcing to all the forest world that Detroit was still held for England 's king , and the sound gave them a new courage . They had paddled for hours , and knew that midnight must be long past , when , without the warning of sight or sound , they suddenly discovered their craft to be surrounded by moving shadows . These were canoes headed across the stream , and instantly Donald turned his craft in the same direction , as though it belonged to the ghostly fleet . It was a terrible situation , and one in which the slightest mistake would prove fatal . Donald noticed Bullen 's start on the discovery of their danger , and blessed him for the coolness with which he continued the noiseless dip of his paddle .