midnight
Monday night was a time just suited to their designs . They had to act very cautiously for horse stealing at that time in Kentucky was considered almost the greatest crime in the catalogue , and woe betide any horse thief who was caught and found guilty ! There was little danger of the `` law 's delay '' in his case , for a rope and a limb of a tree prevented all court expenses . By a small bridge near Franklin Schoolhouse Sam Wiles met by appointment Zibe Turner and the two walked along the road , having little fear of being seen as it was near midnight . They soon reached Judge LeMonde 's barn lot and now had to use the utmost caution not to arouse the great dog Sport or any of his satellites . By degrees they pushed open the heavy gate . Then they went to the barn door through which the horses were led to their stalls .