midnight
But the slow minutes dragged along and nothing was seen of him . By and by a faint hope began to form that the urgent request of the ladies had been conceded , for they insisted that they could see no reason why it should not be . A full hour passed , and , when it was after 9 o'clock , all doubt was removed . The attack would not be made until close upon midnight . Monteith Sterry would be given the chance , provided Duke Vesey showed the way for him . The crisis was so near that it was deemed best to let all know what was in contemplation . Capt. Asbury , therefore , explained it to the men , as the daughter had explained to the mother .