midnight
Not death , but life ! With a second shuddering cry she lifted hand and arm from the water , and with frantic haste dried them upon the skirt of her dress . There had been none to hear her . Upon the midnight river , between the dim forests that ever spoke , but never listened , she was utterly alone . She took the oars again , and went on her way up the river , rowing swiftly , for the mountains were far away , and she might be pursued . When she drew near to Jamestown she shot far out into the river , because men might be astir in the boats about the town landing . Anchored in midstream was a great ship , -- a man-of-war , bristling with guns .