midnight
Mr Cockran had intended to return home , but a gale of contrary wind stopped him , and he was fain to accept the hospitality of a farmer 's tent . That night the storm raged with fury . Thunder and lightning added to the grandeur as well as to the discomfort of the scene . Some time after midnight a gust of wind of extreme fury threw down the farmer 's tent , and the pole hit the farmer on the nose ! Thus rudely roused , he sprang up and accidentally knocked down Peegwish , who happened to be in his way . They both fell on the minister , who , being a powerful man , caught them in a bear-like grasp and held them , under the impression that they had overturned the tent in a quarrel while he was asleep . At that moment a cry of fire was raised .