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24880

0

about midnight

Then the squalls would pass , the seas rise the higher for their momentary suppression , and the boat resume her wallowing , rolling both rails under , and practically under water , except for the high forecastle deck , the funnels , and the companions . Denman did not worry . With the wind northwest , the storm center was surely to the north and east-ward of him ; and he knew that , according to the laws of storms in the North Atlantic , it would move away from him and out to sea . And so it continued until about midnight , when he heard the rasping of the companion hood , then saw Florrie 's face peering out . He sprang to the companion . `` Billie ! Oh , Billie ! ''

24880

9

nine o'clock

Eight bells having struck , the watches were changed ; but except possibly a man in the engine room getting up steam -- for smoke was pouring out of the four funnels -- no one was at stations . The watch on deck was scattered about forward ; and Forsythe had given way to Jenkins , who , with his eye fixed to a long telescope , was scanning the horizon from the bridge . Denman , for over forty-eight hours without sleep , would have turned in had not curiosity kept him awake . So he waited until nine o'clock , when Forsythe , with Munson 's help , took morning sights , and later until ten , when Forsythe handed Jenkins a slip of paper on which presumably he had jotted the boat 's approximate position . Immediately Jenkins rang the engine bells , and the boat forged ahead . Denman watched her swing to a starboard wheel ; and , when the rolling gave way to a pitching motion as she met the head sea , he glanced at the after binnacle compass . `` Northwest by north , half north , '' he said .

24880

12

noon

Jenkins had not answered orally , but his gestures overruled the protest . Even Casey and Munson argued almost to quarreling over various `` tricks of their trade , '' which Denman , as he listened , could only surmise were to form a part of the private code they had spoken of when haranguing Jenkins . There was a nervous unrest pervading them all which , while leaving Florrie and Denman intact , even reached the engine room . At noon Sampson and Dwyer were relieved , and the former turned back to shout down the hatch : `` I told you to do it , and that goes . We 've over-hauled and cleaned it . You two assemble and oil it up this afternoon , or you 'll hear from me at eight bells . '' The voice of Riley -- who was nearly as large a man as Sampson -- answered hotly but inarticulately , and Denman could only ascribe the row to a difference of opinion concerning the condition of some part of the engines .

24880

16

four in the afternoon

You two assemble and oil it up this afternoon , or you 'll hear from me at eight bells . '' The voice of Riley -- who was nearly as large a man as Sampson -- answered hotly but inarticulately , and Denman could only ascribe the row to a difference of opinion concerning the condition of some part of the engines . Sampson , though possibly a lesser engineer than the others of his department , yet dominated them as Jenkins dominated them all -- by pure force of personality . He had made himself chief engineer , and his orders were obeyed , as evidenced by the tranquil silence that emanated from the engine room when Sampson returned at four in the afternoon . All day the boat lay with quiet engines and a bare head of steam , rolling slightly in a swell that now came from the east , while the sun shone brightly overhead from east to west , and only a few specks appeared on the horizon , to remain for a time , and vanish . Meanwhile Florrie worried Denman with questions that he could not answer . `` Forsythe took sights in the morning , '' he explained at length , `` and a meridian observation at noon .

24880

12

noon

He had made himself chief engineer , and his orders were obeyed , as evidenced by the tranquil silence that emanated from the engine room when Sampson returned at four in the afternoon . All day the boat lay with quiet engines and a bare head of steam , rolling slightly in a swell that now came from the east , while the sun shone brightly overhead from east to west , and only a few specks appeared on the horizon , to remain for a time , and vanish . Meanwhile Florrie worried Denman with questions that he could not answer . `` Forsythe took sights in the morning , '' he explained at length , `` and a meridian observation at noon . He has undoubtedly found another ` pocket , ' as I call these triangular spaces between the routes ; but I do not know where we are , except that , computing our yesterday and last night 's run , we are within from sixty to a hundred miles of New York . '' He was further mystified when , on going into his room for a cigar after supper , he found his suit of `` citizen 's clothes '' missing from its hook . `` Not the same thief , '' he grumbled .

24880

10

a quarter to eleven o'clock

He did not mention his loss to Florrie , not wishing to arouse further feminine speculation ; and when , at a later hour in this higher latitude , darkness had come , and full speed was rung to the engine room , he induced her to retire . `` I do n't know what 's up , '' he said ; `` but -- get all the sleep you can . I 'll call you if anything happens . '' He did not go to sleep himself , but smoked and waited while the humming turbines gathered in the miles -- one hour , two hours , nearly three -- until a quarter to eleven o'clock , when speed was reduced . Remembering his embarrassment of the morning , Denman did not seek the deck , but looked through his deadlight . Nothing but darkness met his eye ; it was a black night with rain . He entered the lighted wardroom and looked at the telltale above ; it told him that the boat was heading due north .

24880

12

noon

We 're steaming into the crowd again , and they want to forestall inspection and suspicion . I wonder if our being allowed on deck is part of the plan ? A lady and an officer aft look legitimate . '' At noon every man was dressed to the regulations , in clean blue , with neckerchief and knife lanyard , while Jenkins and Forsythe appeared in full undress uniform , with tasteful linen and neckwear . That this was part of the plan was proven when , after a display of bunting in the International Signal Code from the yard up forward , they ranged alongside of an outbound tank steamer that had kindly slowed down for them . All hands but one cook and one engineer had mustered on deck , showing a fair semblance of a full-powered watch ; and the one cook -- Billings -- displayed himself above the hatch for one brief moment , clad in a spotless white jacket . Then , just before the two bridges came together , Jenkins hurried down the steps and aft to Denman to speak a few words , then hasten forward .

24880

9

nine o'clock

But there was no more open quarreling for the present . As the days wore on , a little gun and torpedo drill was carried out ; while , with steam up , the boat made occasional darts to the north or south to avoid too close contact with passing craft , and gradually -- by fits and starts -- crept more to the westward . And Jenkins recovered complete control of his voice and movements , while Munson , the wireless man , grew haggard and thin . At last , at nine o'clock one evening , just before Denman went down , Munson ran up with a sheet of paper , shouting to the bridge : `` Caught on -- with the United -- night shift . '' Then , having delivered the sheet to Jenkins , he went back , and the rasping sound of his sending instrument kept up through the night . But when Denman sought the deck after breakfast , it had stopped ; and he saw Munson , still haggard of face , talking to Jenkins at the hatch . `` Got his wave length now , '' Denman heard him say .

24880

18

six in the evening

But when Denman sought the deck after breakfast , it had stopped ; and he saw Munson , still haggard of face , talking to Jenkins at the hatch . `` Got his wave length now , '' Denman heard him say . `` Took all night , but that and the code 'll fool 'em all . '' From then on Munson stood watch at his instrument only from six in the evening until midnight , got more sleep thereby , and soon the tired , haggard look left his face , and it resumed its normal expression of intelligence and cheerfulness . After supper about a week later , Denman and Florrie sat in the deck chairs , watching the twilight give way to the gloom of the evening , and speculating in a desultory manner on the end of this never-ending voyage , when Munson again darted on deck , and ran up the bridge stairs with a sheet of paper , barely discernible in the gathering darkness , and handed it to Jenkins , who peered over it in the glow from the binnacle . Then Jenkins blew on a boatswain 's whistle -- the shrill , trilling , and penetrating call that rouses all hands in the morning , but is seldom given again throughout the day except in emergencies . All hands responded .

24880

12

noon

Through the periscope he saw one after the other of the torpedo-craft give up the fight they were not designed for , and ship after ship hoist that silent prayer for help . They yawed badly , but in some manner or other managed to follow the flag-ship , which , alone of that armada , steered fairly well . She kept on the course for the Golden Gate . Even submerged Metcalf outran the fleet before noon , and at night had dropped it , entering the Golden Gate before daylight , still submerged , not only on account of the troublesome turmoil on the surface , but to avoid the equally troublesome scrutiny of the forts , whose searchlights might have caught him had he presented more to their view than a slim tube painted white . Avoiding the mines , he picked his way carefully up to the man-of-war anchorage , and arose to the surface , alongside the _ Delaware _ , now the flag-ship , as the light of day crept upward in the eastern sky . `` We knew they were on the coast , '' said the admiral , a little later , when Metcalf had made his report on the quarter-deck of the _ Delaware _ . `` But about this light ?

24880

12

noon

`` Then , unless the Japs are near-sighted , I expect an easy time when I go out . '' But the admiral did not need to go out and fight . Those nine big battle-ships that Japan had struggled for years to obtain , and the auxiliary fleet of supply and repair ships to keep them in life and health away from home , caught on a lee shore in a hurricane against which the mighty _ Delaware _ could not steam to sea , piled up one by one on the sands below Fort Point ; and , each with a white flag replacing the reversed ensign , surrendered to the transport or collier sent out to take off the survivors . There are few facilities for cooking aboard submarine torpedo-boats , and that is why Lieutenant Ross ran his little submarine up alongside the flag-ship at noon , and made fast to the boat-boom -- the horizontal spar extending from warships , to which the boats ride when in the water . And , as familiarity breeds contempt , after the first , tentative , trial , he had been content to let her hang by one of the small , fixed painters depending from the boom ; for his boat was small , and the tide weak , bringing little strain on painter or boom . Besides , this plan was good , for it kept the submarine from bumping the side of the ship -- and paint below the water-line is as valuable to a warship as paint above . Thus moored , the little craft , with only her deck and conning-tower showing , rode lightly at the end of her tether , while Ross and his men -- all but one , to watch -- climbed aboard and ate their dinner .

21619

0

midnight

`` You 'd be sure to lose some of the hats and coats , or tear them on some briars , or get them full of burs . '' `` How long is the party going to last ? '' Nimble asked . `` Only till midnight ! '' At that Nimble gave a groan . `` S-s-h ! '' Jimmy Rabbit laid a paw upon his lips .

21619

0

midnight

As for Nimble , he was n't having a good time at all . `` I 'll never help at another party ! '' he promised himself . He could n't believe that midnight -- and the end of the party -- would ever come . At last , however , he took heart . For old Uncle Jerry Chuck came hurrying up and began taking hats and coats off Nimble 's antlers . And Nimble knew then that the party must be almost over .

21618

3

a half to four

Notwithstanding the pain that I was in , the first thought that came to me after we had achieved peace -LRB- by the effective yet somewhat radical process of killing all of our enemies -RRB- was concerning the strange weapon with which Pablo had been fighting ; and by his prompt use of which in my defence my life had been saved . He had laid it upon a rock -- while testing the integrity of his mouth-organ -- and as I now carefully examined it I found that my glimpse of it as Pablo had mashed the Indian 's head had not deceived me . It truly was a maccuahuitl , the primitive Aztec sword , but very unlike any description of that weapon that I had ever seen . The maccuahuitl , as described by the Spaniards at the time of the conquest and as shown by the Aztec pictures of it preserved in various museums , was a wooden blade from three and a half to four feet long and from four to five inches wide . Along its two edges , like great saw teeth , fragments of obsidian , about three inches long and two inches wide , were inserted ; and as these were keenly sharp the weapon was a most ferocious one . The sword that I held in my hand was identical in its essential features with this primitive design ; but it was shorter , narrower , and thinner . What was still more extraordinary about it was that , while it seemed to be made of brass , it had the bright glitter of gold and the temper and the elasticity of steel .

21618

12

noon

There was little left of the sheep to carry with us ; but Rayburn shot half a dozen birds , some species of duck , as we skirted the lake in our passage across the valley , so there was no fear that we should lack for food . At its western end the valley narrowed into a cañon . There was no choice of paths , for this was the sole outlet , and we were assured that we were on the right path by finding the King 's symbol and the pointing arrow carved upon the rook . The cañon descended very rapidly , and by noon we were so far below the level of the Mexican plateau that the air had a tropical warmth in it ; and so warm was the night -- for all the afternoon we continued to descend -- that we had no need for blankets when we settled ourselves for sleep . Rayburn was of the opinion that we were close upon the Tierra Caliente , the hot lands of the coast ; and when we resumed our march in the morning he went on in advance of the rest of us , that he might maintain a cautious outlook . If he were right in his conjecture as to our whereabouts , we might at any moment come upon hostile Indians . It was towards noon that he came softly back to us and bade us lay down our packs and advance silently with him , carrying only our arms .

21618

12

noon

The cañon descended very rapidly , and by noon we were so far below the level of the Mexican plateau that the air had a tropical warmth in it ; and so warm was the night -- for all the afternoon we continued to descend -- that we had no need for blankets when we settled ourselves for sleep . Rayburn was of the opinion that we were close upon the Tierra Caliente , the hot lands of the coast ; and when we resumed our march in the morning he went on in advance of the rest of us , that he might maintain a cautious outlook . If he were right in his conjecture as to our whereabouts , we might at any moment come upon hostile Indians . It was towards noon that he came softly back to us and bade us lay down our packs and advance silently with him , carrying only our arms . `` There 's something queer ahead ; and I thought that I heard voices , '' he explained . `` But there must be no shooting unless we are shot at . Some of these Indians are friendly , and we do n't want to start a row with them if they are willing not to row with us . ''

21618

12

noon

At the foot of the bay , built partly upon the level land near the water-side , and partly upon the steep ascent beyond , was the town of Huitzilan -- whereof the most curious feature that at first was noticeable was a tall chimney , whence thick black smoke was pouring forth , that rose above a stone building of great solidity and of a very considerable size . On archæological grounds , the sight of this chimney greatly astonished me ; and Rayburn , who was a very well-read man in all matters connected with his profession , was greatly astonished by it also ; for the chimney obviously was a part of extensive reduction-works , and we both knew that such complete appliances for the smelting of metal , as seemed from this sign to exist here , were supposed to be the product of a high state of civilization in comparatively modern times . As for Young , he declared that the chimney gave him a regular jolt of homesickness ; for , excepting that it was built of stone instead of brick , it might have been , for the look of it , transplanted hither directly from the region of the Back Bay . `` I s ` pose we 'll be hearin ' th ' noon whistle next , '' he said , mournfully ; and presently he added : `` Do you know , Professor , I b ` lieve I 'm beginnin ' t ' see daylight in all this tall talk you say th ' Colonel has been givin ' us about th ' ` rebellions , ' as he calls 'em , that go on here . He do n't mean t ' close our eyes up , th ' Colonel do n't , for he 's a first-class gentleman ; but , bein ' born an ' bred a heathen , he do n't know any better . What he 's tryin ' t ' tell us about , an ' ca n't , because he do n't know th ' English for it , is _ strikes _ . That 's what 's th ' matter .

21611

12

noon

What can such a chap as you do on a ship ? Go home , and stick by your mammy for five years more , and then you 'll have no trouble in shipping . '' Rodney was a good deal frightened at such a reply , and walked on for some time , not venturing to ask again . Toward noon he went on board a large vessel , and seeing a man , whom he took for the captain of the ship , asked him if he could give him a place . `` No , my boy , '' he replied ; `` we do n't sail for three weeks , and we never ship a crew before the time . '' All day he wandered about the wharves , and to all his questions received repelling replies , mingled oftentimes with oaths , jeers , and insults . No one seemed to feel the least interest for him .

21611

0

midnight

He told Rodney to go with him , and he would try what could be done for him . They went into a sailors ' boarding-house , and got something to eat . Then the man , -- who said his name was Bill Seegor , and that he must call him Bill , and not Mister , nor sir , -- took him with himself into a ball-room . Here he saw a great many sailors and bad women , who danced together , and laughed , and shouted , and cursed , and drank , until long past midnight . Rodney had never witnessed _ such _ a scene . He had never heard such filthy and blasphemous language , nor seen such indecent behavior . `` Come , my lad , '' said a bluff sailor to him ; `` if you mean to be a man , you must learn to toss off your glass .

21611

12

noon

All nature seemed joyously reflecting the serene smile of a benevolent God . Even the wicked hearts of the wanderers seemed lightened by the influence of the glorious morning , and cheerily , with many a jocund song and homely jest , they pressed on their way . Even guilt can sometimes forget its baseness , and enjoy the bounties of the kind Creator , for which it expresses no thankfulness and feels no gratitude . At noon they stopped at a farmer 's house , and Bill told the honest old man that they belonged to a ship which had sailed round to Philadelphia ; that it had left New York unexpectedly , without their knowledge , and taken their chests and clothes which had been placed on board ; and that , being without money , they were compelled to walk across to Philadelphia to meet it . The farmer believed the falsehood , and charitably gave them a good dinner . They walked on till after sunset , and then crossed over a field , and climbed up into a rack filled with hay , where they slept all night . In the morning they started forward very hungry , for they had eaten nothing , since the noon before , except a few green apples .

21611

12

noon before

At noon they stopped at a farmer 's house , and Bill told the honest old man that they belonged to a ship which had sailed round to Philadelphia ; that it had left New York unexpectedly , without their knowledge , and taken their chests and clothes which had been placed on board ; and that , being without money , they were compelled to walk across to Philadelphia to meet it . The farmer believed the falsehood , and charitably gave them a good dinner . They walked on till after sunset , and then crossed over a field , and climbed up into a rack filled with hay , where they slept all night . In the morning they started forward very hungry , for they had eaten nothing , since the noon before , except a few green apples . They stopped at the first farm-house on the road , and , by telling the same falsehood that had procured them a meal the day before , excited the pity of the farmer and obtained a good breakfast . Thus did they go on , lying and begging their way along . On the third day there were heavy showers , accompanied by fierce lightnings and crashing thunders .

21611

2

two o'clock in the morning

The woman was in a terrible passion , and her raving curses were fearful to hear . Rodney pitied her , though she cursed him . He was indignant at his companion 's rascality , and offered to go with her and try to find him . It was two o'clock in the morning . He looked round for his hat , collar , and handkerchief ; but they were gone . The thief had taken them with him . Taking Bill 's old hat , he went out with the woman , and looked into the oyster-cellars and grog-shops , some of which they found still open ; but they could find no trace of Bill Seegor .

21613

16

four in the afternoon

Johnny McComas flung open a drawer , seized a revolver of his own , sprang to his feet -- Pardon me , dear reader . The simple fact is , I have suddenly been struck by my lack of drama . You see how awkwardly I provide it , when I try . What bank robbers , I ask you , would undertake such an adventure at half-past four in the afternoon ? I can not compete with the films . As a matter of fact , the vault stood locked , the tellers were gone , even the office-boy had stolen away , and Johnny and I were left alone together , exchanging rather feebly , and with increasing feebleness , some faint and unimportant boyhood reminiscences ... . I feel abysmally abashed ; let us open a new section .

21613

0

midnight

She went , without words . These were the only American observations I heard from Raymond during that fortnight . I wish he had been as successful on the night of our arrival in London when we encountered , in the court behind the big gilded grille of the Grand Metropole , the porter of that grandiose establishment . We had come together from Harwich and did not reach this hotel until half an hour before midnight . We had had our things put on the pavement and had dismissed the cab , and the porter , with an airy , tentative insolence , now reported the place full . '' _ I _ do n't know who ordered your luggage down , sir ; _ I _ did n't , '' he said with a smile that was an experiment in disrespect . Raymond looked as if he were for immediately adjusting himself to this -- though I could hardly imagine his ever having done the like in Paris or in Florence .

21612

12

about noon

The equinoctial gales had been protracted and severe . For days the sea off Fair Head , and through the strait that separates the mainland from Rathlin Island , had run mountains high ; and now , though the surface was smooth and glistening in the bright spring sun , the long , heavy swell , as it broke in thundering rollers on the shore , bore witness to the fierceness of the recent conflict . The night had been wild and dark , but it was succeeded by one of those balmy days that are sent as harbingers of coming summer . Elsie and Jim had been busy ever since the return of the tide , about noon , dragging to shore the masses of sea-wrack that the recent storms had loosened and sent adrift . The afternoon was now far advanced , and the children were growing weary of their work . Several heaps of brown , wet , shining weed stood at intervals along the sands , as monuments of their zeal . They began to look wistfully towards the hill for `` father , '' who had promised to meet them at the conclusion of the day 's work ; but again and again they had looked in vain .

21612

10

ten o'clock

Ye wo n't object to hear me and give me absolution , will you ? '' he added with an effort to smile . `` I wo n't leave you , Mike , and I 'll hear what you have to say ; and as for absolution , I 'll try to point you to the great Absolver -- our Advocate with the Father -- who is the propitiation for our sins . '' It was after ten o'clock when Father Donnelly arrived . After a short private interview with the patient , Hendrick was summoned to the room . `` There is a part of my confession , '' said the old man , `` which , by your leave , father , I 'd like my friend to hear -- it will save us the time of going over the same bit twice . '' The priest nodded silently , not , however , looking very pleased at the somewhat light tone in which McAravey spoke .

21612

16

about four in the afternoon

At this moment Elsie entered the cottage , and was delighted at the invitation , for which , it may be told , George Hendrick had already prepared her . `` But how could she leave poor gran ? '' The old woman thought this could be managed if she was only wanted for the morning . And so it was finally settled that Elsie should , on fine Sundays , walk over to Rossleigh in time for the half-past eleven service , remaining for dinner at the rectory , in order that she might attend the afternoon Sunday-school , and thence return to Tor Bay at about four in the afternoon . To all this Mrs. McAravey assented , though probably the three young girls had no conception of the sacrifice it was to the invalid thus to consent to her being left alone from ten o'clock of a Sunday morning till nearly five . Elsie soon became a favourite at the rectory . Young and enthusiastic , she thought nothing of the four miles ' walk across the rough moorland ; nor did it ever occur either to her or Mrs. McAravey that , in partaking of the rector 's hospitality , she was profiting by the delicate sympathy of the girls for their hard-worked and ill-fed _ protégée _ .

21612

10

ten o'clock

`` But how could she leave poor gran ? '' The old woman thought this could be managed if she was only wanted for the morning . And so it was finally settled that Elsie should , on fine Sundays , walk over to Rossleigh in time for the half-past eleven service , remaining for dinner at the rectory , in order that she might attend the afternoon Sunday-school , and thence return to Tor Bay at about four in the afternoon . To all this Mrs. McAravey assented , though probably the three young girls had no conception of the sacrifice it was to the invalid thus to consent to her being left alone from ten o'clock of a Sunday morning till nearly five . Elsie soon became a favourite at the rectory . Young and enthusiastic , she thought nothing of the four miles ' walk across the rough moorland ; nor did it ever occur either to her or Mrs. McAravey that , in partaking of the rector 's hospitality , she was profiting by the delicate sympathy of the girls for their hard-worked and ill-fed _ protégée _ . Mrs. Cooper Smith was much interested in Elsie , and offered to procure her a situation , or to take her into her own house as maid for the younger children .

21612

11

about eleven o'clock

`` Pooh ! my dear , it is some Irish beggar ; you had better not see him , '' said his lordship as he rose from the table . `` O scarcely -- it would be too impertinent . '' The letter ran as follows : -- `` The Rev. Cooper Gore Smith presents his compliments to Lady Waterham , and trusts that she will find it convenient to receive him on Tuesday morning at about eleven o'clock , when he hopes to have the honour of waiting on her ladyship . `` The Rev. Cooper Gore Smith 's reasons for troubling Lady Waterham can scarcely be explained in a letter . Suffice it that the affair on which he is engaged is of considerable importance to those chiefly concerned , and may even prove not to be without interest for her ladyship . '' _ Railway Hotel , Leeds , _ `` Sept. 3 , 187 -- . ''

26027

4

about four o’clock in the morning

` The Beacon was always laid in those days ready to light , in case the French landed at Pevensey ; and I walked the horse about and about it that lee-long summer night . The farmer thought he was bewitched -- well , he _ was _ , of course -- and began to pray and shout . _ I _ did n't care ! I was as good a Christian as he any fair-day in the County , and about four o'clock in the morning a young novice came along from the monastery that used to stand on the top of Beacon hill . ' ` What 's a novice ? ' said Dan . ` It really means a man who is beginning to be a monk , but in those days people sent their sons to a monastery just the same as a school .

26027

5

five o’clock

`` Come back to the Ford and thank the Smith , or you 'll be sorry . '' ` Back the farmer had to go ! I led the horse , though no one saw me , and the novice walked beside us , his gown swishing through the shiny dew and his fishing-rod across his shoulders spearwise . When we reached the Ford again -- it was five o'clock and misty still under the oaks -- the farmer simply would n't say `` Thank you . '' He said he 'd tell the Abbot that the novice wanted him to worship heathen gods . Then Hugh the novice lost his temper . He just cried , `` Out ! ''

26027

0

midnight

Sir Richard smiled to himself . ` I was very young -- very young ! ` When we came to his house here we had almost forgotten that we had been at blows . It was near midnight , and the Great Hall was full of men and women waiting news . There I first saw his sister , the Lady Ælueva , of whom he had spoken to us in France . She cried out fiercely at me , and would have had me hanged in that hour , but her brother said that I had spared his life -- he said not how he saved mine from his Saxons -- and that our Duke had won the day ; and even while they wrangled over my poor body , of a sudden he fell down in a swoon from his wounds . ``` This is _ thy fault _ , '' said the Lady Ælueva to me , and she kneeled above him and called for wine and cloths .

26027

12

About noon

` And how did you feel ? ' said Dan . ` Very weary ; but I did heartily pray for my schoolmate Hugh his health . About noon I heard horses in the valley , and the three men loosed my ropes and fled out , and De Aquila 's men rode up . Gilbert de Aquila came with them , for it was his boast that , like his father , he forgot no man that served him . He was little , like his father , but terrible , with a nose like an eagle 's nose and yellow eyes like an eagle . He rode tall war-horses -- roans , which he bred himself -- and he could never abide to be helped into the saddle .

26027

12

noon

``` If I had known this , '' said Fulke , catching his breath , `` I would never have lifted hand against Pevensey . Only lack of this yellow stuff has made me so unlucky in my dealings . '' ` It was dawn then , and they stirred in the Great Hall below . We sent down Fulke 's mail to be scoured , and when he rode away at noon under his own and the King 's banner very splendid and stately did he show . He smoothed his long beard , and called his son to his stirrup and kissed him . De Aquila rode with him as far as the New Mill landward . We thought the night had been all a dream . '

26027

12

noon

He jointed his hands across his knees , and leaned his head on the curve of the shield behind him . ` Late in the summer , when the first frosts begin and the Picts kill their bees , we three rode out after wolf with some new hounds . Rutilianus , our General , had given us ten days ' leave , and we had pushed beyond the Second Wall -- beyond the Province of Valentia -- into the higher hills , where there are not even any of Rome 's old ruins . We killed a she-wolf before noon , and while Allo was skinning her he looked up and said to me , `` When you are Captain of the Wall , my child , you wo n't be able to do this any more ! '' ` I might as well have been made Prefect of Lower Gaul , so I laughed and said , `` Wait till I am Captain . '' `` No , do n't wait , '' said Allo . `` Take my advice and go home -- both of you . ''

26027

0

Midnight

_ _ Now in the ungirt hour ; now ere we blink and drowse , _ _ Mithras , also a soldier , keep us true to our vows ! _ _ Mithras , God of the Sunset , low on the Western main , _ _ Thou descending immortal , immortal to rise again ! _ _ Now when the watch is ended , now when the wine is drawn , _ _ Mithras , also a soldier , keep us pure till the dawn ! _ _ Mithras , God of the Midnight , here where the great bull lies , _ _ Look on thy children in darkness . Oh take our sacrifice ! _ _ Many roads Thou hast fashioned : all of them lead to the Light , _ _ Mithras , also a soldier , teach us to die aright ! _ THE WINGED HATS

26027

8

eight o’clock

_ _ Many roads Thou hast fashioned : all of them lead to the Light , _ _ Mithras , also a soldier , teach us to die aright ! _ THE WINGED HATS The next day happened to be what they called a Wild Afternoon . Father and Mother went out to pay calls ; Miss Blake went for a ride on her bicycle , and they were left all alone till eight o'clock . When they had seen their dear parents and their dear preceptress politely off the premises they got a cabbage-leaf full of raspberries from the gardener , and a Wild Tea from Ellen . They ate the raspberries to prevent their squashing , and they meant to divide the cabbage-leaf with Three Cows down at the Theatre , but they came across a dead hedgehog which they simply _ had _ to bury , and the leaf was too useful to waste . Then they went on to the Forge and found old Hobden the hedger at home with his son the Bee Boy who is not quite right in his head , but who can pick up swarms of bees in his naked hands ; and the Bee Boy told them the rhyme about the slow-worm : -- ` If I had eyes _ as _ I could see , No mortal man would trouble me . '

26027

0

midnight

So this is his warehouse , his arsenal , his armoury ! Now , see you why your pokings and pryings have raised the Devil in Sussex ? You 've hindered John 's lawful trade for months , '' and he laughed where he lay . ` A clay-cold tower is no fireside at midnight , so we climbed the belfry stairs , and there Sebastian trips over a cow-hide with its horns and tail . ``` Aha ! Your Devil has left his doublet ! Does it become me , Hal ? ''

26027

0

midnight

And he looked on him with great love . ``` I do my best in my station . '' Sir John strokes his beard again and rolls forth his deep drumming Justice 's voice thus : -- `` But -- suffer me ! -- you two lads , on some midnight frolic into which I probe not , roystering around the taverns , surprise Master Collins at his '' -- he thinks a moment -- `` at his good deeds done by stealth . Ye surprise him , I say , cruelly . '' ``` Truth , Sir John . If you had seen him run ! ''

26027

0

midnight

` _ He _ wo n't ever let it be grubbed ! ' ` Ah , Sussex ! Silly Sussex for everlastin ' , ' murmured Hal ; and the next moment their Father 's voice calling across to Little Lindens broke the spell as St. Barnabas 's clock struck five . _ If you wake at midnight , and hear a horse 's feet , _ _ Do n't go drawing back the blind , or looking in the street , _ _ Them that asks no questions is n't told a lie . _ _ Watch the wall , my darling , while the Gentlemen go by ! _ _ Five and twenty ponies _ _ Trotting through the dark ; _ _ Brandy for the Parson , _ _ ' Baccy for the Clerk _ _ Laces for a lady , letters for a spy , _ _ And watch the wall , my darling , while the Gentlemen go by ! _ _ Running round the woodlump if you chance to find _ _ Little barrels , roped and tarred , all full of brandywined ; _ _ Do n't you shout to come and look , nor take 'em for your play ; _ _ Put the brishwood back again , -- and they 'll be gone next day !

32226

12

morning, noon

But the poor Mermaid was too sad to play nowadays . She no longer took any pleasure in the gay life which the Mer-folk lived beneath the waves . She wandered instead here and there , up and down the sea , calling , calling for her lost baby . The sound of her sobbing came from the sea at morning , noon , and night . She did not know her child 's fate , but she feared that he had been captured by the dreadful Men-folk , who , so her people said , were ever seeking to snare the sea-creatures in their wicked nets . Day after day the unhappy Mermaid swam along the shore trying to see the places where the Men-folk dwelt , hoping that she might catch a glimpse of her lost darling . But that good hap never befell her .

32226

12

noon

There was no breeze anywhere , and the mill was sound asleep . The windmill was lazy , like all its race , and unless an urging wind was blowing it would not work at all . On breezeless days the mill slept from morning until night , and then the farmers who had brought their grain grumbled and were angry with the poor Miller ; which , of course , was very unreasonable . Farmer Huss had vowed that if his grain was not ground before noon he would never come near the Miller again ; and that would be bad indeed , for , deaf though he was , he remained the Miller 's best customer . Worst of all , there was not a crust in the house , not a penny to buy bread . And although the children were now so busy blowing that they had forgotten to be hungry , before night they would be crying for food . What was to be done ?

4645

12

noon in the middle of August

The rest as they grew up began to cough , as she had heard her husband 's brothers and sisters cough , and then she waited in hapless patience the fulfilment of their doom . The two little girls whose faces the ladies of the first coaching-party saw at the farm-house windows had died away from them ; two of the lank boys had escaped , and in the perpetual exile of California and Colorado had saved themselves alive . Their father talked of going , too , but ten years later he still dragged himself spectrally about the labors of the farm , with the same cough at sixty which made his oldest son at twenty-nine look scarcely younger than himself . One soft noon in the middle of August the farmer came in from the corn-field that an early frost had blighted , and told his wife that they must give it up . He said , in his weak , hoarse voice , with the catarrhal catching in it , that it was no use trying to make a living on the farm any longer . The oats had hardly been worth cutting , and now the corn was gone , and there was not hay enough without it to winter the stock ; if they got through themselves they would have to live on potatoes . Have a vendue , and sell out everything before the snow flew , and let the State take the farm and get what it could for it , and turn over the balance that was left after the taxes ; the interest of the savings-bank mortgage would soon eat that up .

4645

12

midday

It was the end of his third week , and it had brought him into September . The weather since he had begun to paint Lion 's Head was perfect for his work ; but , with the long drought , it had grown very warm . Many trees now had flamed into crimson on the hill-slopes ; the yellowing corn in the fields gave out a thin , dry sound as the delicate wind stirred the blades ; but only the sounds and sights were autumnal . The heat was oppressive at midday , and at night the cold had lost its edge . There was no dew , and Mrs. Durgin sat out with Westover on the porch while he smoked a final pipe there . She had come to join him for some fixed purpose , apparently , and she called to her boy , `` You go to bed , Jeff , '' as if she wished to be alone with Westover ; the men folks were already in bed ; he could hear them cough now and then . `` Mr. Westover , '' the woman began , even as she swept her skirts forward before she sat down , `` I want to ask you whether you would let that picture of yours go on part board ?

4645

2

two o'clock

Whitwell stood at the foot of the flag-staff with one hand staying his person against it , like a figure posed in a photograph to verify proportions in the different features of a prospect . The heroine of the unhappy affair of the picnic could not forbear authorizing herself to invoke his opinion at a certain point of the debate , and `` Mr. Whitwell , '' she called to him , `` wo n't you please come here a moment ? '' Whitwell slowly pulled himself across the grass to the group , and at the same moment , as if she had been waiting for him to be present , Mrs. Durgin came out of the office door and advanced toward the ladies . `` Mrs. Marven , '' she said , with the stony passivity which the ladies used to note in her when they came over to Lion 's Head Farm in the tally-hos , `` the stage leaves here at two o'clock to get the down train at three . I want you should have your trunks ready to go on the wagon a little before two . '' `` You want I should have my -- What do you mean , Mrs. Durgin ? '' `` I want your rooms . ''

4645

2

two o'clock

I do n't understand you . I 've taken my rooms for the whole of August , and they are mine ; and -- '' `` I have got to have your rooms , '' said Mrs. Durgin . `` Very well , then , I wo n't give them up , '' said the lady . `` A bargain 's a bargain , and I have your agreement -- '' `` If you 're not out of your rooms by two o'clock , your things will be put out ; and after dinner to-day you will not eat another bite under my roof . '' Mrs. Durgin went in , and it remained for the company to make what they could of the affair . Mrs. Marven did not wait for the result . She was not a dignified person , but she rose with hauteur and whipped away to her rooms , hers no longer , to make her preparations .

4645

1

one o'clock

Mrs. Durgin confessed to having no part in it ; but she had kept pace , with Cynthia Whitwell 's help , in the housekeeping . As Jackson had cautiously felt his way to the needs of their public in the enlargement and rearrangement of the hotel , the two housewives had watchfully studied , not merely the demands , but the half-conscious instincts of their guests , and had responded to them simply and adequately , in the spirit of Jackson 's exterior and structural improvements . The walls of the new rooms were left unpapered and their floors uncarpeted ; there were thin rugs put down ; the wood-work was merely stained . Westover found that he need not to ask especially for some hot dish at night ; there was almost the abundance of a dinner , though dinner was still at one o'clock . Mrs. Durgin asked him the first day if he would not like to go into the serving-room and see it while they were serving dinner . She tried to conceal her pride in the busy scene -- the waitresses pushing in through one valve of the double-hinged doors with their empty trays , and out through the other with the trays full laden ; delivering their dishes with the broken victual at the wicket , where the untouched portions were put aside and the rest poured into the waste ; following in procession along the reeking steamtable , with its great tanks of soup and vegetables , where , the carvers stood with the joints and the trussed fowls smoking before them , which they sliced with quick sweeps of their blades , or waiting their turn at the board where the little plates with portions of fruit and dessert stood ready . All went regularly on amid a clatter of knives and voices and dishes ; and the clashing rise and fall of the wire baskets plunging the soiled crockery into misty depths , whence it came up clean and dry without the touch of finger or towel .

4645

6

Quarter after six

There are all kinds of times . By-the-way , what time is it ? '' Jeff looked at his watch . `` Quarter after six . '' `` Then I must go . '' She jumped to her feet , and faced about for a glimpse of herself in the little glass on the mantel , and put her hand on the large pink roses massed at her waist . One heavy bud dropped from its stem to the floor , where , while she stood , the edge of her skirt pulled and pushed it .

4645

0

midnight

Even the sinister something in the young man 's look had distinction , and there was style in the signs of dissipation in his handsome face which Jeff saw with a hunger to outdo him . Miss Lynde said to Jeff , `` My brother , Mr. Durgin , '' and then she added to the other , `` You ought to ring first , Arthur , and try your key afterward . '' `` The key 's all right , '' said the young man , without paying any attention to Jeff beyond a glance of recognition ; he turned his back , and waited for the door to be opened . His sister suggested , with an amiability which Jeff felt was meant in reparation to him , `` Perhaps a night latch never works before dark -- or very well before midnight . '' The door was opened , and she said to Jeff , with winning entreaty , `` Wo n't you come in , Mr. Durgin ? '' Jeff excused himself , for he perceived that her politeness was not so much an invitation to him as a defiance to her brother ; he gave her credit for no more than it was worth , and he did not wish any the less to get even with her because of it . At dinner , in the absence of the butler , Alan Lynde attacked his sister across the table for letting herself be seen with a jay , who was not only a jay , but a cad , and personally so offensive to most of the college men that he had never got into a decent club or society ; he had been suspended the first year , and if he had not had the densest kind of cheek he would never have come back .

4645

9

half past nine

I shall try to express that to Alan . '' The ladies finished their tea , and the butler came and took the cups away . Miss Lynde remained silent in her chair at her end of the library-table , and by-and-by Bessie got a book and began to read . When her aunt woke up it was half past nine . `` Was that Alan coming in ? '' she asked . `` I do n't think he 's been out , '' said the girl .

4645

2

ten minutes past two

`` What time is it , Mr. Westover ? I see my aunt beginning to nod on her perch . '' Westover looked at his watch . `` It 's ten minutes past two . '' `` How early ! '' sighed the girl . `` I 'm tired of it , are n't you ? ''

4645

3

a quarter after three

This one she had on now was something that brightened her dull complexion , and brought out the best effect of her eyes and mouth , and seemed the effluence of her personal dash and grace . It made the most of her , and she liked it beyond all her other negligees for its complaisance . She got a book , and sat down in a long , low chair before the fire and crossed her pretty slippers on the warm hearth . It was a quarter after three by the clock on the mantel ; but she had never felt more eagerly awake . The party had not been altogether to her mind , up to midnight , but after that it had been a series of rapid and vivid emotions , which continued themselves still in the tumult of her nerves , and seemed to demand an indefinite sequence of experience . She did not know what state her brother might be in when he came home ; she had not seen anything of him after she first went out to supper ; till then , though , he had kept himself straight , as he needs must ; but she could not tell what happened to him afterward . She hoped that he would come home able to talk , for she wished to talk .

4645

0

midnight

It made the most of her , and she liked it beyond all her other negligees for its complaisance . She got a book , and sat down in a long , low chair before the fire and crossed her pretty slippers on the warm hearth . It was a quarter after three by the clock on the mantel ; but she had never felt more eagerly awake . The party had not been altogether to her mind , up to midnight , but after that it had been a series of rapid and vivid emotions , which continued themselves still in the tumult of her nerves , and seemed to demand an indefinite sequence of experience . She did not know what state her brother might be in when he came home ; she had not seen anything of him after she first went out to supper ; till then , though , he had kept himself straight , as he needs must ; but she could not tell what happened to him afterward . She hoped that he would come home able to talk , for she wished to talk . She wished to talk about herself ; and as she had already had flattery enough , she wanted some truth about herself ; she wanted Alan to say what he thought of her behavior the whole evening with that jay .

4645

3

three o'clock in the morning

Miss Enderby even said : `` I was so glad to see Alan looking so well , last night . '' `` Yes , he had such a good time , '' said Bessie , and she followed her friend to the door , where she kissed her reassuringly , and thanked her for taking all the trouble she had , bidding her not be the least anxious on her account . It seemed to her that she should sink upon the stairs in mounting them to the library . Mary Enderby had told her only what she had known before ; it was what her brother had told her ; but then it had not been possible for the man to say that he had brought Alan home tipsy , and been alone in the house with her at three o'clock in the morning . He would not only boast of it to all that vulgar comradehood of his , but it might get into those terrible papers which published the society scandals . There would be no way but to appeal to his pity , his generosity . She fancied herself writing to him , but he could show her note , and she must send for him to come and see her , and try to put him on his honor .

4645

10

ten in the morning

He took a little time to gather himself together . `` Yes , I 've been at a good many . If you care to see something pretty , it 's the prettiest thing in the world . The students ' sisters and mothers come from everywhere ; and there 's fashion and feasting and flirting , from ten in the morning till ten at night . I 'm not sure there 's so much happiness ; but I ca n't tell . The young people know about that . I fancy there 's a good deal of defeat and disappointment in it all .

4645

0

about midnight

She said she did not want any breakfast , and she drank a cup of coffee in the kitchen . It fell to Jeff mainly to keep the talk going . He had been out at the barn with Jombateeste since daybreak , looking after the cattle , and the joy of the weather had got into his nerves and spirits . At first he had lain awake after he went to bed , but he had fallen asleep about midnight , and got a good night 's rest . He looked fresh and strong and very handsome . He talked resolutely to every one at the table , but Jombateeste was always preoccupied with eating at his meals , and Frank Whitwell had on a Sunday silence , which was perhaps deepened by a feeling that there was something wrong between his sister and Jeff , and it would be rash to commit himself to an open friendliness until he understood the case . His father met Jeff 's advances with philosophical blandness and evasion , and Mrs. Durgin was provisionally dry and severe both with the Whitwells and her son .

4645

12

noon

Father thinks it 's a shock ; Jombateeste gone over to Lovewell for the doctor . Cynthia 's with her . It seemed to come on in the night . '' He spoke softly , that no one else might hear ; but by noon the fact that Mrs. Durgin had been stricken with paralysis was all over the place . The gloom cast upon the opening season by Jackson 's death was deepened among the guests . Some who had talked of staying through July went away that day . But under Cynthia 's management the housekeeping was really unaffected by Mrs. Durgin 's calamity , and the people who stayed found themselves as comfortable as ever .

4645

12

noon

`` What do you mean ? '' demanded Westover , with his mind upon the mountain , which he electrically figured in an incredible destruction . `` She 's burnt . Burnt down the day before yist 'd ' y aft ` noon . A 'n' t hardly a stick of her left . Ketehed Lord knows how , from the kitchen chimney , and a high northwest wind blowin ' , that ca 'd the sparks to the barn , and set fire to that , too . Hasses gone ; could n't get round to 'em ; only three of us there , and mixed up so about the house till it was so late the critters would n't come out .

4645

7

seven o'clock

I tell you , it 's swell , as they say . You can order what you please for breakfast , but for lunch and dinner you got to take what Jeff gives you ; but he treats you well . He 's a Durgin , when it comes to that . Served in cou ` ses , and dinner at seven o'clock . I do n't know where he got his money for ' t all , but I guess he put in his insurance fust , and then he put a mortgage on the buildin ' ; be as much as owned it ; said he 'd had a splendid season last year , and if he done as well for a copule of seasons more he 'd have the whole prop ` ty free o ' debt . '' Westover could see that the prosperity of the unjust man had corrupted the imagination and confounded the conscience of this simple witness , and he asked , in the hope of giving his praises pause : `` What has he done about the old family burying-ground in the orchard ? '' `` Well , there ! ''

22874

12

noon

`` Unless they move on the jump I 'll have the bunch of them nipped before long , '' Old Gripper declared . To his vexation he found it was impossible to properly swear out a warrant for the arrest of Del Norte 's companions without making the journey to Saranac Lake . `` I 'll do that the first thing in the morning , '' he said . In the morning , however , he found himself stiff and lame , and he was induced to delay until noon . During the forenoon he decided to return without further delay to New York . Having settled on this , he sent a message to Saranac Lake , stating his charges against Porfias del Norte 's band of desperadoes , and asking that the warrant be drawn up and brought to him at the station as he was passing through . He also gave instructions that officers should be on hand to immediately take up the work of running the gang down .

22874

12

noon

During the forenoon he decided to return without further delay to New York . Having settled on this , he sent a message to Saranac Lake , stating his charges against Porfias del Norte 's band of desperadoes , and asking that the warrant be drawn up and brought to him at the station as he was passing through . He also gave instructions that officers should be on hand to immediately take up the work of running the gang down . Before noon Belmont Bland , Old Gripper 's private secretary , was apparently taken ill , and when the time came for Scott to depart Bland seemed unable to travel . He asserted that it was one of his usual nervous attacks , and declared he would be all right by the next day . Therefore it was arranged that he should remain at Lake Placid . Frank Merriwell had given in to the urging of Warren Hatch , who almost begged him to stay over another day and fish again in the morning .

22874

9

hour from six to nine

`` At what time will it be most convenient for you to come . '' `` Why -- er -- when do you dine ? '' `` Whenever Señor Scott chooses , '' bowed the man with the snowy hair . `` Any hour from six to nine will please me . '' `` Well , I 'll be along between six and half-past , '' said Scott , and then wondered why he had said it . `` It is well , '' bowed Lazaro , rising . `` I will now intrude no more on your precious time . ''

22874

0

midnight

`` Who is it ? '' questioned Jalisco . Instead of answering , with fingers that were not quite steady , Hagan turned the key in the lock and opened the door . Into the room boldly walked a man who wore a sable overcoat , had hair of snowy white , and eyes of deepest midnight . Hagan stared at this man in amazement . `` Who are you ? '' he asked .

22874

0

midnight

Although it was nipping cold , he seemed to be burning with the heat of an inward furnace . `` I 'll walk a bit to cool off , '' he said , and set out , his head down , his face grim , his manner absorbed . As he was crossing a street a cab whirled up beside him and stopped . He swore at the driver for his carelessness , but his profanity ended abruptly when the door of the cab swung open and he saw a pair of midnight eyes looking at him . `` By all the saints , '' gasped Bantry Hagan , actually staggering , `` it is the dead alive again ! '' The man in the cab lifted a hand and motioned to him . In a low , musical voice , he said : `` Señor Hagan , get in quickly .

22874

0

midnight

His manner caused Merry to glance up quickly . The transom was open , leaving an aperture of about three inches . Through this aperture could be dimly seen the upper part of a face , with a pair of coal-black eyes , which were fixed with an ominous and steady stare upon Merry . In those midnight eyes there was a gleam of unspeakable hatred , savage malevolence , and deadly rancor . They were the eyes of one who longed to do murder . The awful look in those terrible eyes seemed to freeze both Morgan and Starbright and turn them to stone . For some moments they remained motionless and breathless .

22874

0

midnight

Both felt that they could not move if they so desired . For at least a full minute the duel of eyes continued . The mysterious man outside seemed putting all his strength of soul and will into the struggle . Was it a flickering flare of the gas jet , or did the midnight eyes waver the least bit ? Without moving his head or his body , Dade Morgan turned his glance toward Merriwell . What he saw in Frank 's face gave him a feeling of relief and unspeakable satisfaction . Merriwell wore the look of a conqueror .

22874

0

midnight

Merriwell wore the look of a conqueror . He was the same undaunted , undismayed Merry as of old . He was master of this mysterious foe beyond the closed door . Again Morgan lifted his eyes to the midnight orbs beyond the transom . A sensation of triumph thrilled him like an electric shock . The deadly eyes wavered ! The silent duel was ended !

22874

0

midnight

With a splintering crash , the door gave way before the shock , and Merry staggered into the corridor . He was followed by Starbright and Morgan . Recovering his equilibrium , Frank straightened up and whirled to follow and overtake the mysterious unknown if possible . The man of the midnight eyes had disappeared . The smashing of the door had startled and aroused others in adjacent rooms , and they now came swarming into the corridor . One of them clutched at Frank , but was flung aside ; others dodged back to let him pass . Merry ran to the head of the stairs , down which he leaped .

24089

0

midnight

Now , years ago , I took great pains to learn the Latin language , and on many occasions I have found it _ most useful _ , whatever you may see to the contrary in the newspaper : but seldom or never have I found it more useful than now . I saw at once that the words meant _ anoint the eyes _ , _ the ears _ , _ the tongue _ , _ the forehead _ , _ the chest _ . What would be the result of my doing this , of course I knew no more than you : but I was pretty sure that it would not do to try them all at once , and another thing I felt , that it would be better to wait till next day before trying any of them . It was past midnight now , so I went to bed : but first I locked up the box in a cupboard , for I did not want anyone to see it as yet . * * * * * Next day I woke bright and early , looked at my watch , found there was no need to think about getting up yet , and , like a wise creature , went to sleep again . I mention this , not merely by way of being jocose , but because after I went to sleep I had a dream which most likely came from the plant and certainly had to do with the box . I seemed to see a room , or to be in a room about which I only noticed that the floor was paved with mosaic in a pattern mostly red and white , that there were no pictures on the walls and no fireplace , no sashes or indeed panes in the window , and the moon was shining in very bright .

24089

10

ten o'clock

They heard it too , turned sharply round and walked off to the houses . Soon after that the lights in the windows died down and everything became very still . I looked at my watch . It was ten o'clock . I waited for a while to see if anything would happen , but there was nothing ; so I got some books out -LRB- which took a few minutes -RRB- and before I settled down to them I thought I would just take one more look out of the window . Where were all the little houses ? At the first glance I thought they had vanished , but it was not exactly so .

22877

0

About midnight

I remember , perfectly well , that the taste of this strange fruit was by no means so pleasant as the appearance ; but the idea of eating fruit was sufficient for a child , and , after all , the flavour was much superior to that of sour apples , so I ate voraciously . How long I continued eating I scarcely know . One thing is certain , that I never left the field as I entered it , being carried home in the arms of the dragoon in strong convulsions , in which I continued for several hours . About midnight I awoke , as if from a troubled sleep , and beheld my parents bending over my couch , whilst the regimental surgeon , with a candle in his hand , stood nigh , the light feebly reflected on the whitewashed walls of the barrack-room . Another circumstance connected with my infancy , and I have done . I need offer no apology for relating it , as it subsequently exercised considerable influence over my pursuits . We were , if I remember right , in the vicinity of a place called Hythe , in Kent .

22877

3

About Three o'clock

The country was , as I have already said , submerged -- entirely drowned -- no land was visible ; the trees were growing bolt upright in the flood , whilst farmhouses and cottages were standing insulated ; the horses which drew us were up to the knees in water , and , on coming to blind pools and `` greedy depths , '' were not unfrequently swimming , in which case the boys or urchins who mounted them sometimes stood , sometimes knelt , upon the saddle and pillions . No accident , however , occurred either to the quadrupeds or bipeds , who appeared respectively to be quite _ au fait _ in their business , and extricated themselves with the greatest ease from places in which Pharaoh and all his hosts would have gone to the bottom . Night-fall brought us to Peterborough , and from thence we were not slow in reaching the place of our destination . Norman Cross -- Wide Expanse -- Vive l'Empereur -- Unpruned Woods -- Man with the Bag -- Froth and Conceit -- I beg your Pardon -- Growing Timid -- About Three o'clock -- Taking One 's Ease -- Cheek on the Ground -- King of the Vipers -- French King -- Frenchmen and Water . And a strange place it was , this Norman Cross , and , at the time of which I am speaking , a sad cross to many a Norman , being what was then styled a French prison , that is , a receptacle for captives made in the French war . It consisted , if I remember right , of some five or six casernes , very long , and immensely high ; each standing isolated from the rest , upon a spot of ground which might average ten acres , and which was fenced round with lofty palisades , the whole being compassed about by a towering wall , beneath which , at intervals , on both sides , sentinels were stationed , whilst outside , upon the field , stood commodious wooden barracks , capable of containing two regiments of infantry , intended to serve as guards upon the captives . Such was the station or prison at Norman Cross , where some six thousand French and other foreigners , followers of the grand Corsican , were now immured .

22877

15

about three o'clock in the afternoon

said I. `` I will tell you , '' said the old man , `` though I do n't like talking about the matter . It may be about seven years ago that I happened to be far down yonder to the west , on the other side of England , nearly two hundred miles from here , following my business . It was a very sultry day , I remember , and I had been out several hours catching creatures . It might be about three o'clock in the afternoon , when I found myself on some heathy land near the sea , on the ridge of a hill , the side of which , nearly as far down as the sea , was heath ; but on the top there was arable ground , which had been planted , and from which the harvest had been gathered -- oats or barley , I know not which -- but I remember that the ground was covered with stubble . Well , about three o'clock , as I told you before , what with the heat of the day and from having walked about for hours in a lazy way , I felt very tired ; so I determined to have a sleep , and I laid myself down , my head just on the ridge of the hill , towards the field , and my body over the side down amongst the heath ; my bag , which was nearly filled with creatures , lay at a little distance from my face ; the creatures were struggling in it , I remember , and I thought to myself , how much more comfortably off I was than they ; I was taking my ease on the nice open hill , cooled with the breezes , whilst they were in the nasty close bag , coiling about one another , and breaking their very hearts , all to no purpose : and I felt quite comfortable and happy in the thought , and little by little closed my eyes , and fell into the sweetest snooze that ever I was in in all my life ; and there I lay over the hill 's side , with my head half in the field , I do n't know how long , all dead asleep . At last it seemed to me that I heard a noise in my sleep , something like a thing moving , very faint , however , far away ; then it died , and then it came again upon my ear as I slept , and now it appeared almost as if I heard crackle , crackle ; then it died again , or I became yet more dead asleep than before , I know not which , but I certainly lay some time without hearing it . All of a sudden I became awake , and there was I , on the ridge of the hill , with my cheek on the ground towards the stubble , with a noise in my ear like that of something moving towards me , amongst the stubble of the field ; well , I lay a moment or two listening to the noise , and then I became frightened , for I did not like the noise at all , it sounded so odd ; so I rolled myself on my belly , and looked towards the stubble .

22877

3

about three o'clock

It may be about seven years ago that I happened to be far down yonder to the west , on the other side of England , nearly two hundred miles from here , following my business . It was a very sultry day , I remember , and I had been out several hours catching creatures . It might be about three o'clock in the afternoon , when I found myself on some heathy land near the sea , on the ridge of a hill , the side of which , nearly as far down as the sea , was heath ; but on the top there was arable ground , which had been planted , and from which the harvest had been gathered -- oats or barley , I know not which -- but I remember that the ground was covered with stubble . Well , about three o'clock , as I told you before , what with the heat of the day and from having walked about for hours in a lazy way , I felt very tired ; so I determined to have a sleep , and I laid myself down , my head just on the ridge of the hill , towards the field , and my body over the side down amongst the heath ; my bag , which was nearly filled with creatures , lay at a little distance from my face ; the creatures were struggling in it , I remember , and I thought to myself , how much more comfortably off I was than they ; I was taking my ease on the nice open hill , cooled with the breezes , whilst they were in the nasty close bag , coiling about one another , and breaking their very hearts , all to no purpose : and I felt quite comfortable and happy in the thought , and little by little closed my eyes , and fell into the sweetest snooze that ever I was in in all my life ; and there I lay over the hill 's side , with my head half in the field , I do n't know how long , all dead asleep . At last it seemed to me that I heard a noise in my sleep , something like a thing moving , very faint , however , far away ; then it died , and then it came again upon my ear as I slept , and now it appeared almost as if I heard crackle , crackle ; then it died again , or I became yet more dead asleep than before , I know not which , but I certainly lay some time without hearing it . All of a sudden I became awake , and there was I , on the ridge of the hill , with my cheek on the ground towards the stubble , with a noise in my ear like that of something moving towards me , amongst the stubble of the field ; well , I lay a moment or two listening to the noise , and then I became frightened , for I did not like the noise at all , it sounded so odd ; so I rolled myself on my belly , and looked towards the stubble . Mercy upon us !

22877

0

midnight

Lend us that pightle , and receive our thanks ; ` twould be a favour , though not much to grant : we neither ask for Stonehenge nor for Tempe . '' My friend looked somewhat perplexed ; after a moment , however , he said , with a firm but gentlemanly air , `` Sir , I am sorry that I can not comply with your request . '' `` Not comply ! '' said the man , his brow becoming dark as midnight ; and with a hoarse and savage tone , `` Not comply ! why not ? '' `` It is impossible , sir ; utterly impossible ! '' `` Why so ? ''

22877

0

midnight

There stood the preacher , one of those men -- and , thank God , their number is not few -- who , animated by the spirit of Christ , amidst much poverty , and , alas ! much contempt , persist in carrying the light of the Gospel amidst the dark parishes of what , but for their instrumentality , would scarcely be Christian England . I would have waited till he had concluded , in order that I might speak to him , and endeavour to bring back the ancient scene to his recollection , but suddenly a man came hurrying towards the monticle , mounted on a speedy horse , and holding by the bridle one yet more speedy , and he whispered to me , `` Why loiterest thou here ? -- knowest thou not all that is to be done before midnight ? '' and he flung me the bridle ; and I mounted on the horse of great speed , and I followed the other , who had already galloped off . And as I departed , I waved my hand to him on the monticle , and I shouted , `` Farewell , brother ! the seed came up at last , after a long period ! ''

22877

14

two hours after noon

Then there was fresh grinding of teeth , and scowling brows were turned to the heaven ; but what is this ? is it possible , does the heaven scowl too ? why , only a quarter of an hour ago ... but what may not happen in a quarter of an hour ? For many weeks the weather had been of the most glorious description , the eventful day , too , had dawned gloriously , and so it had continued till some two hours after noon ; the fight was then over ; and about that time I looked up -- what a glorious sky of deep blue , and what a big fierce sun swimming high above in the midst of that blue ; not a cloud -- there had not been one for weeks -- not a cloud to be seen , only in the far west , just on the horizon , something like the extremity of a black wing ; that was only a quarter of an hour ago , and now the whole northern side of the heaven is occupied by a huge black cloud , and the sun is only occasionally seen amidst masses of driving vapour ; what a change ! but another fight is at hand , and the pugilists are clearing the outer ring ; -- how their huge whips come crashing upon the heads of the yokels ; blood flows , more blood than in the fight ; those blows are given with right good-will , those are not sham blows , whether of whip or fist ; it is with fist that grim Shelton strikes down the big yokel ; he is always dangerous , grim Shelton , but now particularly so , for he has lost ten pounds betted on the brave who sold himself to the yokels ; but the outer ring is cleared : and now the second fight commences ; it is between two champions of less renown than the others , but is perhaps not the worse on that account . A tall thin boy is fighting in the ring with a man somewhat under the middle size , with a frame of adamant ; that 's a gallant boy ! he 's a yokel , but he comes from Brummagem , and he does credit to his extraction ; but his adversary has a frame of adamant : in what a strange light they fight , but who can wonder , on looking at that frightful cloud usurping now one-half of heaven , and at the sun struggling with sulphurous vapour ; the face of the boy , which is turned towards me , looks horrible in that light , but he is a brave boy , he strikes his foe on the forehead , and the report of the blow is like the sound of a hammer against a rock ; but there is a rush and a roar overhead , a wild commotion , the tempest is beginning to break loose ; there 's wind and dust , a crash , rain and hail ; is it possible to fight amidst such a commotion ?

22877

9

about nine o'clock

Everything was new to me , for everything is different in London from what it is elsewhere -- the people , their language , the horses , the _ tout ensemble _ -- even the stones of London are different from others -- at least it appeared to me that I had never walked with the same ease and facility on the flagstones of a country town as on those of London ; so I continued roving about till night came on , and then the splendour of some of the shops particularly struck me . `` A regular Arabian Nights ' entertainment ! '' said I , as I looked into one on Cornhill , gorgeous with precious merchandise , and lighted up with lustres , the rays of which were reflected from a hundred mirrors . But , notwithstanding the excellence of the London pavement , I began about nine o'clock to feel myself thoroughly tired ; painfully and slowly did I drag my feet along . I also felt very much in want of some refreshment , and I remembered that since breakfast I had taken nothing . I was now in the Strand , and , glancing about , I perceived that I was close by an hotel , which bore over the door the somewhat remarkable name of Holy Lands . Without a moment 's hesitation I entered a well-lighted passage , and , turning to the left , I found myself in a well-lighted coffee-room , with a well-dressed and frizzled waiter before me .

22877

0

midnight

These doubts were now again reviving in my mind ; I could not , for the life of me , imagine how , taking all circumstances into consideration , these highwaymen , these pickpockets , should have been anything else than highwaymen and pickpockets ; any more than how , taking all circumstances into consideration , Bishop Latimer -LRB- the reader is aware that I had read `` Fox 's Book of Martyrs '' -RRB- should have been anything else than Bishop Latimer . I had a very ill-regulated mind at that period . My own peculiar ideas with respect to everything being a lying dream began also to revive . Sometimes at midnight , after having toiled for hours at my occupations , I would fling myself back on my chair , look about the poor apartment , dimly lighted by an unsnuffed candle , or upon the heaps of books and papers before me , and exclaim , -- `` Do I exist ? Do these things , which I think I see about me , exist , or do they not ? Is not every thing a dream -- a deceitful dream ? Is not this apartment a dream -- the furniture a dream ?

22877

12

about noon

`` What a life ! what a dog 's life ! '' I would frequently exclaim , after escaping from the presence of the publisher . One day , after a scene with the publisher similar to that which I have described above , I found myself about noon at the bottom of Oxford Street , where it forms a right angle with the road which leads or did lead to Tottenham Court . Happening to cast my eyes around , it suddenly occurred to me that something uncommon was expected ; people were standing in groups on the pavement -- the upstair windows of the houses were thronged with faces , especially those of women , and many of the shops were partly , and not a few entirely closed . What could be the reason of all this ? All at once I bethought me that this street of Oxford was no other than the far-famed Tyburn way .

22877

11

11 a.m.

-LCB- 326 -RCB- The ex-mayor , Robert Hawkes . -LCB- 328 -RCB- Benjamin Robert Haydon -LRB- 1786-1846 -RRB- , who shot himself in his studio . -LCB- 335 -RCB- George Borrow about this time suffered much from the horrors , and meditated suicide -LRB- Knapp , i. 96-98 -RRB- . -LCB- 340 -RCB- Byron 's corpse , on its way from Missolonghi to Hucknall Church , near Newstead in Notts , was removed on Monday , 12th July 1814 , from Sir Edward Knatchbull 's house in Great George Street , Westminster , at 11 a.m. -LCB- 365 -RCB- John Murray -LRB- 1778-1843 -RRB- , publisher , the second of the name , the first of Albemarle Street . -LCB- 386 -RCB- _ Tarno _ means simply `` young '' or `` little . '' -LCB- 397 -RCB- _ Romantic Ballads _ , _ translated from the Danish _ , _ and Miscellaneous Pieces _ , by George Borrow , did appear in Norwich in 1826 .

22872

0

midnight

I never had any thin ' of that kind in my house afore an ' of course I ai n't goin ' to give up without a good deal more lookin ' , but if I ca n't find that key it 'll prove beyond a shadow of a doubt as Elijah Doxey ai n't of a trustin ' nature an ' if that 's true I do n't know how I ever _ will _ be able to get along with him . A trustin ' nature is one thing to have around an ' a distrustin ' nature is another thing , an ' I can tell you that there 's somethin' about feelin ' as you ai n't trusted as makes me take my hands right out of my bread dough an ' go straight upstairs to begin lookin ' for that key again . The more I hunt the wilder I get , for it 's a very small box for a man to keep locked , an ' it ai n't his money or jewelry for it do n't rattle when you shake it . It 's too bad for me to feel so because in most other ways he 's a very nice young man , although I will say as sunset is midnight compared to his hair . '' `` Do -- '' began Mrs. Lathrop . `` Then too , he said yesterday , '' Miss Clegg continued , `` as he wanted it distinctly understood as his things was never to be touched by no one an ' I told him as he could freely an ' frankly rely on me . Now that 's goin ' to make it a great deal more work to hunt for that key from now on .

22872

5

about five o'clock

`` Does -- '' asked Mrs. Lathrop , rising heavily to bid her friend good-bye . `` Most likely , '' said Susan ; `` at any rate if he does n't have any appetite . I like 'em myself . '' Miss Clegg and Mrs. Lathrop were sitting on the latter 's steps about five o'clock one Sunday afternoon when Elijah Doxey came out of the former 's house and walked away down town . `` I wond -- '' said Mrs. Lathrop . `` I do n't believe it , '' said Miss Clegg ; `` I know the way you look at it , Mrs. Lathrop , but _ I _ do n't believe it . All the girls is after him but that ai n't surprisin ' for girls are made to be after somethin' at that age an ' there 's almost nothin ' for them to run down in this community .

22872

3

about three o'clock

If I was in my bed this blessed minute I 'd be very comfortable , which I 'm very far from bein ' here with this mosquito aimin ' just over my slap each time ; an ' then , too , I 'd be alone , an ' no matter how hard I may try to make myself look upon bein ' with you as the same thing as bein ' alone , it is n't the same thing an ' you ca n't in conscience deny _ that _ , no matter how hard you may sit without movin ' . '' Mrs. Lathrop made no reply to this frank comment on her liveliness , and after a short pause , Miss Clegg sighed heavily a second time , and continued : `` It 's been a full day , a awful full day . In the first place the rooster was woke by accident last night an ' he up an ' woke me . He must of woke me about three o'clock as near as I can figure it out now , but I supposed when I was woke as of course it was five so I got right up an ' went in an ' woke Elijah . Elijah told me last week as he did n't believe he 'd ever seen the sun rise an ' I was just enough out of sorts to think as to-day would be a good time for him to begin to turn over a new leaf as far as the sunrise was concerned . I must say he was n't very spry about the leaf , for all he did was to turn himself over at first , but I opened his window an ' banged the blinds three or four times an ' in the end he got woke up without really knowin ' just what had woke him . We had breakfast with a candle , an ' then Elijah was so tired lookin ' out for the sunrise that he looked in at his watch an ' see as it was only quarter to four then .

22872

3

quarter to four

He must of woke me about three o'clock as near as I can figure it out now , but I supposed when I was woke as of course it was five so I got right up an ' went in an ' woke Elijah . Elijah told me last week as he did n't believe he 'd ever seen the sun rise an ' I was just enough out of sorts to think as to-day would be a good time for him to begin to turn over a new leaf as far as the sunrise was concerned . I must say he was n't very spry about the leaf , for all he did was to turn himself over at first , but I opened his window an ' banged the blinds three or four times an ' in the end he got woke up without really knowin ' just what had woke him . We had breakfast with a candle , an ' then Elijah was so tired lookin ' out for the sunrise that he looked in at his watch an ' see as it was only quarter to four then . He was real put out at that at first 'cause he wrote till half past two last night , an ' in the end he went back to bed an ' it certainly was a relief to see the last of him , for I may in confidence remark as I never see him look quite so stupid afore . After he was gone back to bed I washed up the breakfast dishes an ' then I went out in the wood shed in the dark an ' there I got another surprise , for I thought I 'd look over the rags I was savin ' for the next rag rug an ' when I poured 'em out in my lap , what do you think , Mrs. Lathrop , what _ do _ you think poured out along with 'em ? -- Why , a nest of young mice an ' two old ones !

22872

4

half past four

Well , the second jump must needs land me right square on top of the cistern lid , an ' it up an ' went in , takin ' my left leg along with it as far as it would go . Well , Mrs. Lathrop , talk of girls as can open an ' shut , like scissors , in a circus -- I was scissored to that degree that for a little I could n't think which would be wisest , to try an ' get myself together again in the kitchen or to just give up altogether in the cistern . In the end I hauled the leg as had gone in out again , an ' then I see where all the trouble come from , for the cistern lid was caught to my garter an ' what I 'd thought was a real injury was only it swingin ' around an ' around my leg . I put the lid back on the cistern an ' felt to sit with my legs crossed for quite a while , thinkin ' pleasant thoughts of the rooster as woke me , an ' by that time it was half past four , an ' I could hear all the other chickens stirrin ' so I got up an ' began to stir again myself . I opened the front door an ' looked out an ' that did n't bring me no good luck either , for as I looked out a bat flew in an ' just as the bat flew in he managed to hook himself right in my hair . Well , Mrs. Lathrop , I tell you I _ was _ mad then . I do n't know as I ever was madder than I was then .

22872

12

noon

She said it was all as clear as day to her an ' that she should write a story about it . She said about all she got out of life was writin ' stories about it an ' she never lost a chance to make a good one . She said she wished I 'd stay with her an ' I could have half the bed an ' half of that same tub as long as I like . `` Well , Mrs. Lathrop , the long an ' short of it was as I felt that no matter how kind she was I would n't never be able to be happy anywhere where I had to be around with a woman who talked all the time , an ' sleep in a bed with another Susan Clegg , an ' wash in a tub as you have to stop up with some of yourself , so I just took my things an ' come home by the noon train an ' I 'll stay here one while now , too , I guess . '' `` I -- '' said Mrs. Lathrop . `` Yes , I was just going to ask you where you put it , '' said Miss Clegg , `` I shall need it to get in the back door . '' `` It 's -- '' said Mrs. Lathrop .

22872

10

about ten o'clock

`` Well , Mrs. Lathrop , to go ` way back to the beginnin ' , seems as Mrs. Macy set out last night , as I said before , to make over her carpet . Seems as she wanted to turn it all around so 's it 'd fade away under the stove an ' fray out in the corner where it do n't show . I do n't say as the idea was n't a good one -- although it 's come pretty hard on Mrs. Sweet -- but anyhow , good or no good , she dug up the tacks last night an ' ripped the widths an ' set down to sew this mornin ' . Her story is as she turned the duck out to pasture right after breakfast an ' then went to work an ' sewed away as happy as a bean until about ten o'clock . Then she felt most awful tired from the rippin ' an ' yesterday an ' all , so she thought she 'd rest a little . Seems as her legs was all done up in the carpet an ' gettin ' out was hard so she thought she 'd just lay back on the floor . Seems she lay back suddener than she really intended an ' as she hit the floor , she was _ took _ .

22872

12

noon on Sunday

Mrs. Lathrop never went to church . She had relinquished church when she had given up all other social joys that called for motive power beyond the limits of her own fence . Elijah rarely ever went to church . The getting the paper out Friday for Saturday delivery wore on him so that he nearly always slept until noon on Sunday . So Susan went alone week after week , just as she had been going alone for years and years and years . She always wore a black dress to church , her mother 's cashmere shawl , and a bonnet of peculiar shape which had no strings and fitted closely around her head . She always took about an hour and a half to get home from church , although it was barely ten minutes ' walk , and she always went in Mrs. Lathrop 's gate instead of her own when she did get home .

22872

12

the noon of the Sunday before the Fourth of July

`` How long -- '' asked Mrs. Lathrop . `` I said three months , '' said Miss Clegg , `` an ' that takes it over the Fourth of July . My heavens alive , seems some days as if I could n't but just live , an ' the meanest thing about a man is , he 's so dead sure as he makes you happy , bein ' around the house . '' `` Well , Elijah seems to have hit the nail on its foot instead of its head this time , '' said Miss Clegg to Mrs. Lathrop on the noon of the Sunday before the Fourth of July ; `` that editorial of his in this week 's paper ai n't suitin ' any one a _ tall _ . I was down in the square yesterday an ' everybody as was there was talkin ' about it , an ' to-day after church everybody was still talkin ' about it , an ' gettin ' more mad all the time . '' `` What -- '' began Mrs. Lathrop . `` The one about the celebration as he printed in this week 's paper , '' replied her friend ; `` they was for discussin ' nothin ' else after church to-day , an ' one an ' all is dead set against the way as Elijah says .

22878

0

midnight

Yes . Did he not tell me that the life and adventures of Jemmy Abershaw would bring in much money to the writer ? Yes , but I knew nothing of that worthy . I heard , it is true , from Mr. Petulengro , that when alive he committed robberies on the hill on the side of which Mr. Petulengro had pitched his tents , and that his ghost still haunted the hill at midnight ; but those were scant materials out of which to write the man 's life . It is probable , indeed , that Mr. Petulengro would be able to supply me with further materials if I should apply to him , but I was in a hurry , and could not afford the time which it would be necessary to spend in passing to and from Mr. Petulengro , and consulting him . Moreover , my pride revolted at the idea of being beholden to Mr. Petulengro for the materials of the history . No , I would not write the history of Abershaw .

22878

0

about midnight

The chief thing requisite at present was the mere mechanical act of committing them to paper . This I did not find at first so easy as I could wish -- I wanted mechanical skill ; but I persevered , and before evening I had written ten pages . I partook of some bread and water ; and , before I went to bed that night , I had completed fifteen pages of my `` Life of Joseph Sell . '' The next day I resumed my task -- I found my power of writing considerably increased ; my pen hurried rapidly over the paper -- my brain was in a wonderfully teeming state ; many scenes and visions which I had not thought of before were evolved , and , as fast as evolved , written down ; they seemed to be more pat to my purpose , and more natural to my history , than many others which I had imagined before , and which I made now give place to these newer creations : by about midnight I had added thirty fresh pages to my `` Life and Adventures of Joseph Sell . '' The third day arose -- it was dark and dreary out of doors , and I passed it drearily enough within ; my brain appeared to have lost much of its former glow , and my pen much of its power ; I , however , toiled on , but at midnight had only added seven pages to my history of Joseph Sell . On the fourth day the sun shone brightly -- I arose , and , having breakfasted as usual , I fell to work . My brain was this day wonderfully prolific , and my pen never before or since glided so rapidly over the paper ; towards night I began to feel strangely about the back part of my head , and my whole system was extraordinarily affected .

22878

0

midnight

This I did not find at first so easy as I could wish -- I wanted mechanical skill ; but I persevered , and before evening I had written ten pages . I partook of some bread and water ; and , before I went to bed that night , I had completed fifteen pages of my `` Life of Joseph Sell . '' The next day I resumed my task -- I found my power of writing considerably increased ; my pen hurried rapidly over the paper -- my brain was in a wonderfully teeming state ; many scenes and visions which I had not thought of before were evolved , and , as fast as evolved , written down ; they seemed to be more pat to my purpose , and more natural to my history , than many others which I had imagined before , and which I made now give place to these newer creations : by about midnight I had added thirty fresh pages to my `` Life and Adventures of Joseph Sell . '' The third day arose -- it was dark and dreary out of doors , and I passed it drearily enough within ; my brain appeared to have lost much of its former glow , and my pen much of its power ; I , however , toiled on , but at midnight had only added seven pages to my history of Joseph Sell . On the fourth day the sun shone brightly -- I arose , and , having breakfasted as usual , I fell to work . My brain was this day wonderfully prolific , and my pen never before or since glided so rapidly over the paper ; towards night I began to feel strangely about the back part of my head , and my whole system was extraordinarily affected . I likewise occasionally saw double -- a tempter now seemed to be at work within me .

22878

18

about six o'clock in the evening

I may as well fling down my pen -- I am writing to no purpose . And these thoughts came over my mind so often , that at last , in utter despair , I flung down the pen . Whereupon the tempter within me said -- `` And , now you have flung down the pen , you may as well fling yourself out of the window ; what remains for you to do ? '' Why to take it up again , thought I to myself , for I did not like the latter suggestion at all -- and then forthwith I resumed the pen , and wrote with greater vigour than before , from about six o'clock in the evening until I could hardly see , when I rested for a while , when the tempter within me again said , or appeared to say -- `` All you have been writing is stuff , it will never do -- a drug -- a mere drug ; '' and methought these last words were uttered in the gruff tones of the big publisher . `` A thing merely to be sneezed at , '' a voice like that of Taggart added ; and then I seemed to hear a sternutation , -- as I probably did , for , recovering from a kind of swoon , I found myself shivering with cold . The next day I brought my work to a conclusion . But the task of revision still remained ; for an hour or two I shrank from it , and remained gazing stupidly at the pile of paper which I had written over .

22878

12

About twelve o'clock at night

I was all but exhausted , and I dreaded , on inspecting the sheets , to find them full of absurdities which I had paid no regard to in the furor of composition . But the task , however trying to my nerves , must be got over ; at last , in a kind of desperation , I entered upon it . It was far from an easy one ; there were , however , fewer errors and absurdities than I had anticipated . About twelve o'clock at night I had got over the task of revision . `` To-morrow , for the bookseller , '' said I , as my head sank on the pillow . `` Oh me ! '' Nervous Look -- The Bookseller 's Wife -- The Last Stake -- Terms -- God Forbid !

22878

6

about six o'clock in the morning

It was now the table or the chair that I was compelled to touch ; now the bell-rope ; now the handle of the door ; now I would touch the wall , and the next moment stooping down , I would place the point of my finger upon the floor : and so I continued to do day after day ; frequently I would struggle to resist the impulse , but invariably in vain . I have even rushed away from the object , but I was sure to return , the impulse was too strong to be resisted : I quickly hurried back , compelled by the feeling within me to touch the object . Now I need not tell you that what impelled me to these actions was the desire to prevent my mother 's death ; whenever I touched any particular object , it was with the view of baffling the evil chance , as you would call it -- in this instance my mother 's death . `` A favourable crisis occurred in my mother 's complaint , and she recovered ; this crisis took place about six o'clock in the morning ; almost simultaneously with it there happened to myself a rather remarkable circumstance connected with the nervous feeling which was rioting in my system . I was lying in bed in a kind of uneasy doze , the only kind of rest which my anxiety , on account of my mother , permitted me at this time to take , when all at once I sprang up as if electrified , the mysterious impulse was upon me , and it urged me to go without delay , and climb a stately elm behind the house , and touch the topmost branch ; otherwise -- you know the rest -- the evil chance would prevail . Accustomed for some time as I had been , under this impulse , to perform extravagant actions , I confess to you that the difficulty and peril of such a feat startled me ; I reasoned against the feeling , and strove more strenuously than I had ever done before ; I even made a solemn vow not to give way to the temptation , but I believe nothing less than chains , and those strong ones , could have restrained me . The demoniac influence , for I can call it nothing else , at length prevailed ; it compelled me to rise , to dress myself , to descend the stairs , to unbolt the door , and to go forth ; it drove me to the foot of the tree , and it compelled me to climb the trunk ; this was a tremendous task , and I only accomplished it after repeated falls and trials .

22878

8

about eight o'clock

And now the book was finished and given to the world , and the world shouted ; and all eyes were turned upon me , and I shrank from the eyes of the world . And , when I got into retired places , I touched various objects in order to baffle the evil chance . In short , during the whole night , I was acting over the story which I had heard before I went to bed . At about eight o'clock I awoke . The storm had long since passed away , and the morning was bright and shining ; my couch was so soft and luxurious that I felt loth to quit it , so I lay some time , my eyes wandering about the magnificent room to which fortune had conducted me in so singular a manner ; at last I heaved a sigh ; I was thinking of my own homeless condition , and imagining where I should find myself on the following morning . Unwilling , however , to indulge in melancholy thoughts , I sprang out of bed and proceeded to dress myself , and , whilst dressing , I felt an irresistible inclination to touch the bedpost . I finished dressing and left the room , feeling compelled , however , as I left it , to touch the lintel of the door .

22878

12

noon

Effects of Corn -- One Night Longer -- The Hoofs -- A Stumble -- Are You Hurt ? -- What a Difference ! -- Drowsy -- Maze of Bushes -- Housekeeping -- Sticks and Furze -- The Drift-way -- Account of Stock -- Anvil and Bellows -- Twenty Years . It was two or three hours past noon when I took my departure from the place of the last adventure , walking by the side of my little cart ; the pony , invigorated by the corn , to which he was probably not much accustomed , proceeded right gallantly ; so far from having to hasten him forward by the particular application which the tinker had pointed out to me , I had rather to repress his eagerness , being , though an excellent pedestrian , not unfrequently left behind . The country through which I passed was beautiful and interesting , but solitary : few habitations appeared . As it was quite a matter of indifference to me in what direction I went , the whole world being before me , I allowed the pony to decide upon the matter ; it was not long before he left the high road , being probably no friend to public places . I followed him I knew not whither , but , from subsequent observation , have reason to suppose that our course was in a north-west direction .

22878

0

About midnight

Supper was brought by a servant , not the damsel of the porch . We sat round the tray , Peter said grace , but scarcely anything else ; he appeared sad and dejected , his wife looked anxiously upon him . I was as silent as my friends ; after a little time we retired to our separate places of rest . About midnight I was awakened by a noise ; I started up and listened ; it appeared to me that I heard voices and groans . In a moment I had issued from my tent -- all was silent -- but the next moment I again heard groans and voices ; they proceeded from the tilted cart where Peter and his wife lay ; I drew near , again there was a pause , and then I heard the voice of Peter , in an accent of extreme anguish , exclaim , `` Pechod Ysprydd Glan -- O pechod Ysprydd Glan ! '' and then he uttered a deep groan . Anon , I heard the voice of Winifred , and never shall I forget the sweetness and gentleness of the tones of her voice in the stillness of that night .

22878

0

about midnight

My little horse came now and lay down on the ground beside the forge ; I was not quite deserted . I again ate some of the coarse food , and drank plentifully of the water which I had fetched in the morning . I then put fresh fuel on the fire , and sat for a long time looking on the blaze ; I then went into my tent . I awoke , on my own calculation , about midnight -- it was pitch dark , and there was much fear upon me . Free and Independent -- I Do n't See Why -- Oats -- A Noise -- Unwelcome Visitors -- What 's the Matter ? -- Good Day to Ye -- The Tall Girl -- Dovrefeld -- Blow on the Face -- Civil Enough -- What 's This ? -- Vulgar Woman -- Hands off -- Gasping for Breath -- Long Melford -- A Pretty Manoeuvre -- A Long Draught -- Signs of Animation -- It Wo n't Do -- No Malice -- Bad People .