midnight
-- `` Hark ye , sirrah Blood , if you again presume to thrust yourself in the way you have done but now , I will have the hangman 's knife and your knavish ears made acquainted . '' Blood bowed , and with a coolness of impudence which did his nerves great honour , he said he had only come to the Tower accidentally , to communicate with a particular friend on business of importance . `` My Lord Duke of Buckingham , '' he said , `` knew he had no other intentions . '' `` Get you gone , you scoundrelly cut-throat , '' said the Duke , as much impatient of Colonel Blood 's claim of acquaintance , as a town-rake of the low and blackguard companions of his midnight rambles , when they accost him in daylight amidst better company ; `` if you dare to quote my name again , I will have you thrown into the Thames . '' Blood , thus repulsed , turned round with the most insolent composure , and walked away down from the parade , all men looking at him , as at some strange and monstrous prodigy , so much was he renowned for daring and desperate villainy . Some even followed him , to have a better survey of the notorious Colonel Blood , like the smaller tribe of birds which keep fluttering round an owl when he appears in the light of the sun . But as , in the latter case , these thoughtless flutterers are careful to keep out of reach of the beak and claws of the bird of Minerva , so none of those who followed and gazed on Blood as something ominous , cared to bandy looks with him , or to endure and return the lowering and deadly glances , which he shot from time to time on those who pressed nearest to him .