midnight
Smiler was a better steed than I had hoped . Saddle I had none , nor bridle , but the halter which had been placed on her head was sufficient for me to guide her . Moreover , I had been used to horses all my life , and felt as much at ease on a horse 's back as on my feet . Thus it came about that before midnight I had reached the parish of St. Eve , and was making my way toward Pennington . When within sight of the house , however , I was in a dilemma , and never until then did I realise how difficult was the task I had set myself . The whole family was a-bed , at least I imagined so , neither did I know the part of the house where Naomi Penryn was . Most likely , too , dogs would be prowling around , and I did not wish to place myself in the power of Richard Tresidder or his son Nick .