About midnight
His spirits were agitated into a state of fermentation that produced a species of resolution akin to that which is inspired by brandy or other strong liquors , and , by an impulse that seemed supernatural , he was immediately hurried into measures for his own preservation . What upon a less interesting occasion his imagination durst not propose , he now executed without scruple or remorse . He undressed the corpse that lay bleeding among the straw , and , conveying it to the bed in his arms , deposited it in the attitude of a person who sleeps at his ease ; then he extinguished the light , took possession of the place from whence the body had been removed , and , holding a pistol ready cocked in each hand , waited for the sequel with that determined purpose which is often the immediate production of despair . About midnight he heard the sound of feet ascending the ladder ; the door was softly opened ; he saw the shadow of two men stalking towards the bed , a dark lanthorn being unshrouded , directed their aim to the supposed sleeper , and he that held it thrust a poniard to his heart ; the force of the blow made a compression on the chest , and a sort of groan issued from the windpipe of the defunct ; the stroke was repeated , without producing a repetition of the note , so that the assassins concluded the work was effectually done , and retired for the present with a design to return and rifle the deceased at their leisure . Never had our hero spent a moment in such agony as he felt during this operation ; the whole surface of his body was covered with a cold sweat , and his nerves were relaxed with an universal palsy . In short , he remained in a trance that , in all probability , contributed to his safety ; for , had he retained the use of his senses , he might have been discovered by the transports of his fear . The first use he made of his retrieved recollection , was to perceive that the assassins had left the door open in their retreat ; and he would have instantly availed himself of this their neglect , by sallying out upon them , at the hazard of his life , had he not been restrained by a conversation he overheard in the room below , importing , that the ruffians were going to set out upon another expedition , in hopes of finding more prey .