midnight
`` Then my lord , the judge , made them swear me , and he said they would hear my evidence . For one moment I was a coward . I thought I would hide God 's share in the deliverance , lest men should doubt my whole testimony . The next , I was telling the true story : how I had been called at midnight -- twice called ; how I had found Evan Conochie 's boat waiting for me ; how on the boat I had met David MacPherson , and been brought to the court house by him , having no intention or plan of my own in the matter . `` And there was a great awe in the room as I spoke . Every one believed what I said , and my lord asked for the names of the fishers who were present in Donald Brae 's cottage on the night of the first of June . Very well , then , I could give many of them , and they were sent for , and the lad was saved , thank God Almighty ! ''