midnight
So , if thou wilt go , get thee ready , Anne , my dear , for it will take us to be off frae here by twelve o'clock t ` night , for it is a lang ride , and a rugged ride , as thou wilt find it to thy cost , ere ye be back again . I was never there for my own part ; but I hear that the sale o ' feeding cattle is expected to be gud -- and there I maun be . So , get thee ready , daughter , if ye will go , and hap thysel ' weel up . '' At midnight , Sandy Reed , his daughter , and his adopted son , with three or four farm-servants , all mounted on light , but strong and active horses , accustomed to the character of the country , set out for Whitsome fair . They arrived at Whitsome before noon on the following day , having crossed the Tweed at Coldstream . There was one individual in the fair who had some hundred head of cattle exhibited for sale , and that was old Cunningham of Simprin . He himself was present ; but he took but small interest in the transactions , for he was becoming old , and was in general melancholy ; and a nephew , whom he intended to make his heir , accompanied him , and in most matters made bargains for him and in his name .