about midnight
As he drew forth the ramrod to try the barrel , Heffernan said , with a half-grin , `` There 's two bullets in it , avich ! -- enough 's as good as a feast . '' Owen sat still and spoke not , while the leader and Heffernan explained to him the circumstances of the plot against the life of Mr. Lucas . Information had been obtained by some of the party , that the agent would leave Galway on the following evening , on his way to Westport , passing through Oughterarde and their own village , about midnight . He usually travelled in his gig , with relays of horses ready at different stations of the way , one of which was about two miles distant from the old ruin , on the edge of the lake -- a wild and dreary spot , where stood a solitary cabin , inhabited by a poor man who earned his livelihood by fishing . No other house was within a mile of this ; and here , it was determined , while in the act of changing horses , the murder should be effected . The bleak common beside the lake was studded with furze and brambles , beneath which it was easy to obtain shelter , though pursuit was not to be apprehended -- at least they judged that the servant would not venture to leave his master at such a moment ; and as for the fisherman , although not a sworn member of their party , they well knew he would not dare to inform against the meanest amongst them .