about noon
Then , my cart being loaded with straw , I bade Mr Callan good-day , and started on my long journey back to Knockowen . Had it not been for what I dreaded to find at home , my journey back from Derry would have been light enough ; for now I was rid of my turnips I had nothing to fear from inquisitive wayfarers . Nor had I cause to be anxious as to the way , for my mare knew she was homeward bound , and stepped out briskly with no encouragement from me . Indeed I had so little to do that about noon , when we had got off the highroad on to the hill-track , I curled myself up in the straw and fell asleep . Nor did I wake till the cart suddenly came to a standstill , and I felt myself being lifted out of my nest . At first I thought I was back already at Knockowen , and wondered at the speed the old jade had made while I slept . But as soon as I had rubbed my eyes I found we were still on the hillside , and that my awakers were a handful of soldiers .