midnight
I come to your young chief , as one who had refuge with me in his distress -- who ate of my bread and drank of my cup . I ask of him refuge , which , as I trust , I shall need but a short time . '' `` That makes a different case , '' replied the herdsman . `` So different , that , if you came at midnight to the gate of MacIan , having the King of Scotland 's head in your hand , and a thousand men in pursuit for the avenging of his blood , I could not think it for his honour to refuse you protection . And for your innocence or guilt , it concerns not the case ; or rather , he ought the more to shelter you if guilty , seeing your necessity and his risk are both in that case the greater . I must straightway to him , that no hasty tongue tell him of your arriving hither without saying the cause . '' `` A pity of your trouble , '' said the glover ; `` but where lies the chief ? ''