eight o'clock
Richard thought it unworthy of him to make any reply to this speech , but when his prisoners were safely lodged in an outer dungeon , ordering the bolts to be drawn and the key turned , he withdrew . Benjamin held frequent and friendly dialogues with different people , through the iron gratings , during the afternoon ; but his companion paced their narrow ' limits , in his moccasins , with quick , impatient treads , his face hanging on his breast in dejection , or when lifted , at moments , to the idlers at the window , lighted , perhaps , for an instant , with the childish aspect of aged forgetfulness , which would vanish directly in an expression of deep and obvious anxiety . At the close of the day , Edwards was seen at the window , in earnest dialogue with his friend ; and after he de parted it was thought that he had communicated words of comfort to the hunter , who threw himself on his pallet and was soon in a deep sleep . The curious spectators had exhausted the conversation of the steward , who had drunk good fellowship with half of his acquaintance , and , as Natty was no longer in motion , by eight o'clock , Billy Kirby , who was the last lounger at the window , retired into the `` Templeton Coffee-house , '' when Natty rose and hung a blanket before the opening , and the prisoners apparently retired for the night . `` And to avoid the foe 's pursuit , With spurring put their cattle to ` t ; And till all four were out of wind , And danger too , neer looked behind . '' -- Hudibras . As the shades of evening approached , the jurors , wit nesses , and other attendants on the court began to disperse , and before nine o'clock the village was quiet , and its streets nearly deserted .