eight o'clock
At last , just when I had begun to think the thing hopeless , I found an honest Quaker about to ride to Bridgewater with a basket of Bibles for the Duke 's men . He did not ask me what my business at Bridgewater might be ; but he knew that no one would want to go there at such a time without good cause . `` Well , '' he said , `` if you can ride small , you shall ride behind me , but it will be slow riding , as the horse will be heavily laden . '' He was going to start at eight o'clock , so as to travel all night , when the marauders , whether deserters from the Duke or ill-conditioned country people , were always less busy . I had time to get some supper for myself in the tavern-bar before starting . Just as we were about to ride off together , when we were in the saddle , waiting only till some carts rolled past the yard-door , I had a fright , for there , coming into the inn yard , was one of the troopers who had beguiled me from the Duke 's army that day at Axminster . I had no doubt that he was going from inn to inn , asking for news of me .