Noon
From the activity with which she undertook the task , Brown conceived good hope of her fidelity towards her guest . It was obvious that she wished to engage the ruffians in their debauch , to prevent the discovery which might take place if , by accident , any of their should approach too nearly the place of Brown 's concealment . Nor board nor garner own we now , Nor roof nor latched door , Nor kind mate , bound by holy vows To bless a good man 's store . Noon lulls us in a gloomy den , And night is grown our day ; Uprouse ye , then , my merry men ! And use it as ye may . JOANNA BAILLIE . Brown could now reckon his foes -- they were five in number ; two of them were very powerful men , who appeared to be either real seamen , or strollers who assumed that character ; the other three , an old man and two lads , were slighter made , and , from their black hair and dark complexion , seemed to belong to Meg 's tribe .