midnight
`` He is quartered about ten miles hence , busied with the affairs of the funeral , and with preparations for the combat -- the dead to the grave and the living to battle . '' `` It is a long way , and will take you all night to go and come , '' said the glover ; `` and I am very sure that Conachar when he knows it is I who -- '' `` Forget Conachar , '' said the herdsman , placing his finger on his lips . `` And as for the ten miles , they are but a Highland leap , when one bears a message between his friend and his chief . '' So saying , and committing the traveller to the charge of his eldest son and his daughter , the active herdsman left his house two hours before midnight , to which he returned long before sunrise . He did not disturb his wearied guest , but when the old man had arisen in the morning he acquainted him that the funeral of the late chieftain was to take place the same day , and that , although Eachin MacIan could not invite a Saxon to the funeral , he would be glad to receive him at the entertainment which was to follow . `` His will must be obeyed , '' said the glover , half smiling at the change of relation between himself and his late apprentice . `` The man is the master now , and I trust he will remember that , when matters were otherwise between us , I did not use my authority ungraciously . ''