eight o'clock
To them all seemed peaceable and orderly ; indeed , they kept in the main thoroughfares where the better class of citizens were to be seen , and knew little of those who lived in the lower haunts , issuing out seldom in the daylight , but making the streets a danger for peaceable folks after nightfall . Upon one occasion , however , they took boat at Westminster and were rowed to Richmond . They had ill-chosen the occasion , knowing nothing of the hours of the tide , and so returned against it . It was therefore eight o'clock when they reached the Stairs , and already growing dark . They knew that orders had been given that the gates were to be closed to all at eight , lest some of the great bodies of rioters should approach suddenly and enter the city . The watermen , wearied by their long row , refused to carry them any further . There was nothing for it but to walk round the walls and so return to their lodging .