about ten o’clock at night
` The trees drip very much upon them , ' said the man , ` and it will not do for them to remain here all night ; they will be better out on the field picking the grass ; but first of all they must have a good feed of corn . ' Thereupon he went to his chaise , from which he presently brought two small bags , partly filled with corn -- into them he inserted the mouths of the horses , tying them over their heads . ` Here we will leave them for a time , ' said the man ; ` when I think they have had enough , I will come back , tie their fore-legs , and let them pick about . ' It might be about ten o'clock at night . Belle , the postilion , and myself , sat just within the tent , by a fire of charcoal which I had kindled in the chafing-pan . The man had removed the harness from his horses , and , after tethering their legs , had left them for the night in the field above to regale themselves on what grass they could find . The rain had long since entirely ceased , and the moon and stars shone bright in the firmament , up to which , putting aside the canvas , I occasionally looked from the depths of the dingle .