midnight
Scrope looked to the Major . `` About midnight , '' he suggested . `` A little later , I should think , '' corrected Major Shackleton . `` A little after midnight , '' repeated Wyley . `` Ensign Knightley and Lieutenant Scrope , I understand , immediately fight a duel , which seems to have been interrupted before any hurt was done . '' The Major and Scrope agreed with a nod of their heads . `` In the morning , '' continued Wyley , `` Ensign Knightley takes part in a skirmish , and is clubbed on the head so fiercely that Major Shackleton thought his skull must be broken in .