midnight
At times , nevertheless , it would make them run away . Ellen knew Harry as a good slave , a good man , a good Christian , sound in his probity , not at all inclined to be roguish , -- as most niggers are -- a little given to drink , but never bad-tempered . Her honest opinion is that such a pattern of worthy nature and moral firmness would not disgrace itself by running away , unless induced by white `` Buckra . '' She thinks she heard a lumbering and shuffling somewhere about the pen , shortly after midnight . It might have been wolves , however . To all this Mr. M'Fadden listens with marked attention . Now and then he interposes a word , to gratify some new idea swelling his brain .