midnight
`` Thou hast been in great danger , my son , and this good woman hath saved thee and sheltered thee from thy foes . '' `` Thanks , good mother . '' There was a tone of deep feeling in his voice as he said these words -- `` but what has passed ? I have a confused remembrance of hunting and being hunted , in a midnight forest , and of a deadly combat in a dark chamber , from which I seemed to wake to find myself here . '' `` Thy destiny has , indeed , been nearly accomplished , and that thou art the survivor of the party with which thou didst invade the Dismal Swamp is owing to this widow woman , '' said the good father in the patient 's own tongue . Etienne fell back on his pillow and seemed trying to unravel the tangled thoughts which perplexed him . Once more the dame came and brought him a cooling drink .