nine o'clock
The saplin was no sooner bent than secured to the ground by a notched peg and a noose , and a slip knot was suspended from the tree , jist over the track that led from the pathway to the house . Why , my Gor , massa , that 's a -- . Hold your mug , you old nigger , says I , or I 'll send your tongue a sarchin arter your teeth ; keep quiet , and follow me in presently . Well , jist as it struck nine o'clock , says I , Sally , hold this here hank of twine for a minute , till I wind a trifle on it off ; that 's a dear critter . She sot down her candle , and I put the twine on her hands , and then I begins to wind and wind away ever so slow , and drops the ball every now and then , so as to keep her down stairs . Sam , says she , I do believe you wo n't wind that are twine off all night , do give it to January , I wo n't stay no longer , I 'm een a most dead asleep . The old feller 's arm is so plaguy onsteady , says I , it wo n't do ; but hark , what 's that , I 'm sure I heerd something in the ash saplin , did ` nt you Sall ?