about midnight
It was but a track through the forest , for although the trees had been cleared away for a width of twenty feet there was but little traffic , for the road was seldom traversed , save by an occasional messenger from Prasutagus . It had been used by the legions at the time that Ostorius had built a line of forts stretching from the Nen to the Severn , and by it they had advanced when the Iceni had risen ; but from that time it had been unused by them , as the Iceni had paid their tribute regularly , and held aloof from all hostile movements against them . Prasutagus was always profuse in his assurance of friendship towards Rome , and save that the Roman officers visited his capital once a year to receive their tribute , they troubled but little about the Iceni , having their hands occupied by their wars in the south and west , while their main road to the north ran far to the west of Camalodunum . `` We shall arrive about midnight , '' Beric said as they strode along . `` We may or we may not , '' Boduoc said curtly . `` What is to prevent us , Boduoc ? '' `` Well , the wolves may prevent us , Beric ; we heard them howling several times as we came along this morning .