midnight
`` No . '' He reached back into a small drawer under the shelf , and brought out an ugly-looking weapon , tried the hammer movement with his thumb , and handed it over to me with a grin . `` Some cannon , an ' I want it back . Do n't fail at midnight . '' `` An ' thar ai n't nuthin ' fer me ter do till then ? '' `` Not a thing ; take a nap , if ye want ` r. Sal kin wake ye up . I reckon I wo n't be back till after yer off . ''