four
o'clock
Meantime the constables dismounted ; and , having handcuffed Bertram , passed a cord round his body , the two extremities of which were carried in the hands of Sampson and another , who remounted their horses and led him after them in this felonious style . Fortunately for Bertram 's comfort , Sampson 's wound obliged him to ride slowly : notwithstanding which he was heartily thankful when , after advancing for some hours , they came within view of the church towers at Machynleth , distant about three miles -- and found Alderman Gravesand with a barouche-and-four waiting for them at the top of the hill . Bertram was placed in the carriage ; and Sampson took his seat by his side ; Kilmary mounting Sampson 's horse . By this time it was four o'clock ; and Alderman Gravesand directed the whole party to push forward at their utmost speed ; `` it was his intention to carry the prisoner to Walladmor Castle nearly thirty miles distant ; and he wished to be through Machynleth before the light failed . '' `` Would his worship then go through the town ? '' asked Sampson : `` might it not be better to send forward with orders for horses to meet them in the outskirts , and avoid the town by making a little circuit ? '' `` No : '' this proposal the Alderman rejected , as he would have done any other which looked like a compromise of the magisterial dignity or a concession to the popular spirit .