midnight
`` Well , ye ' h sees , it took some keen play , some sly play , some dignity , and some talent ; but the best thing of the whole was the squire 's honour . He and me , ye see , joined partners -- that is , he gets places for 'em away out o ' town -- you understand -- places where I keeps a couple of the very best nags that ever stepped turf . And then he puts on the soft sauder , an ' is so friendly to the critturs -- gets 'em to come out with him to where he will make ` um nice house servants , and such things . He is good at planin ' , as all justices is , and would time it to arrive at midnight . I , havin ' got a start , has all ready to meet him ; so when he gives me the papers , I makes a bolt at full speed , and has ` um nowhere afore they knows it . And then , when they sees who it is , it do n't do to make a fuss about it -- do n't ! And then , they 're so handsome , it ai n't no trouble finding a market for 'em down Memphis way .