the hour of seven
At the time of which we speak he might be about forty-five years of age , a man of considerable physical strength , and with as much mental firmness as will be found among the generality of mankind . His occupation , in travelling during night , required often the confirming influence of personal courage , to keep him from being alarmed ; and his activity , and exposure to the fresh air of both land and water , were conducive to bodily health and elasticity of spirits . He was at once a faithful carrier and a good companion on the road , along which he was generally respected ; and , by attention to business and economical habits of living , he had been enabled to realize as much money as might suffice to sustain him , with his wife and three children , in the event of his being disabled , by accident or ill health , from following his ordinary employment . The day in which George Skirving left the northern town for Edinburgh , was Wednesday of each week ; and he started at the hour of seven , both in winter and summer . On one occasion , in the month of August , he set out from his quarters at his usual hour ; and having crossed the Tay with his goods , proceeded on his way through Fife . He had with him his dog Wolf , who usually served him as a companion ; his waggons were loaded with goods , the proceeds of the carriage of which he counted as he trudged along ; and he now and then had recourse to a small flask of spirits which his wife had , without his knowledge , and contrary to her usual custom , placed in the breast-pocket of his great-coat . He was thus in good spirits ; and as he applied himself with great moderation -- for he was a sober man -- to his inspiring companion , he jocularly blamed Betty -LRB- such was the name of his consort -RRB- for defrauding his houses of call on the road of the custom he used to bestow on them .