nearly ten o'clock
In order to prevent any broils with the citizens , orders were issued that certain places of refreshment were to be used only by officers , while the soldiers were only to frequent wine and beer shops selected in the neighbourhood of the barracks , and were strictly forbidden to enter any others . Any soldier caught in an act of theft or pillage was to be hung , forthwith , and all were enjoined to observe a friendly demeanour to the people . One evening , Fergus had been sent with a message to the camp , two miles from the town . It was nearly ten o'clock when he started to ride back . When within half a mile of the town he heard a pistol shot , in the direction of a large house , a quarter of a mile from the road . Without hesitation he turned his horse 's head in that direction . In a couple of minutes he arrived at a pair of large gates .