midnight
` Dang 'd if I did n't think ` twere that Gearge of our ` n. Hark awhile . ' At a repetition of the call , the waggoner stopped his team . After a few minutes , a man appeared panting on the bank above them , down which he ran precipitately , knocked against Evan , apologized with the little breath that remained to him , and then held his hand as to entreat a hearing . Evan thought him half-mad ; the waggoner was about to imagine him the victim of a midnight assault . He undeceived them by requesting , in rather flowery terms , conveyance on the road and rest for his limbs . It being explained to him that the waggon was already occupied , he comforted himself aloud with the reflection that it was something to be on the road again for one who had been belated , lost , and wandering over the downs for the last six hours . ` Walcome to git in , when young woman gits out , ' said the waggoner .