midnight
The prudence of Morton found sufficient occupation in stemming the furious current of these contending parties , when , two days after his return to Hamilton , he was visited by his friend and colleague , the Reverend Mr Poundtext , flying , as he presently found , from the face of John Balfour of Burley , whom he left not a little incensed at the share he had taken in the liberation of Lord Evandale . When the worthy divine had somewhat recruited his spirits , after the hurry and fatigue of his journey , he proceeded to give Morton an account of what had passed in the vicinity of Tillietudlem after the memorable morning of his departure . The night march of Morton had been accomplished with such dexterity , and the men were so faithful to their trust , that Burley received no intelligence of what had happened until the morning was far advanced . His first enquiry was , whether Macbriar and Kettledrummle had arrived , agreeably to the summons which he had dispatched at midnight . Macbriar had come , and Kettledrummle , though a heavy traveller , might , he was informed , be instantly expected . Burley then dispatched a messenger to Morton 's quarters to summon him to an immediate council . The messenger returned with news that he had left the place .