Midnight
Minny , good bye -- may the Almighty guard you . '' The day passed away as Summer days are wont , in softness and languor , and the sun descended in gold and crimson , leaving a bright halo in the west to mark his resting place . Night came on serene and still , and the quiet moon ascended her heavenly throne , while the refreshing dews fell upon the flowers , whose leaves opened to receive them , parched , as they were with the burning lustre of the mid-day sun . Midnight had already passed ; and all was as silent as if no living or created thing existed upon the earth to mar its splendid beauty with the wild indulgence of its fiercer passions . A strong light was gleaming from the interior of Nanny 's cabin , which we have already said was situated on the mountain side ; and the noisy sounds of revelry were heard proceeding from within . Could any of the superstitious have summoned courage to approach sufficiently near , and listen for a moment , the idea of spirits would soon be dissipated in the bluff , hoarse voices which were laughing and grumbling , and singing , sometimes alternately , and sometimes all together . But we had better introduce the reader to the interior , and then he will be a better judge of the nature of the orgies carried on .