one o'clock
For gif ye yinterrupt me , or edge in a word , or put me out by asking questions , I lose the thread of my discourse , and canna proceed . '' `` Ou , let me see , '' said I , `` ye was about the contract concerning the beef . '' `` Preceesely , '' quo ' Thomas , stretching out his fore-finger -- `` ye 've said it to a hair . At that time , as I was observing , the butcher didna supply a company or companies , according to the terms of a contract , drawn up before ` sponsible witnesses , between him and the paymaster ; but the soldiers got beef-money along with their pay ; with which said money , given them , ye observe , for said purpose , they were bound and obligated , in terms of the statute , to buy , purchase , and provide the said beef , twice a-week or oftener , as it might happen ; an orderly offisher making inspection of the camp-kettles regularly every forenoon , at one o'clock or thereabouts . `` So , as ye 'll pay attention to observe , there was a private in Captain M'Tavish 's company , the second to the left of the centre , of the name of Duncan MacAlpine , a wee , hardy , blackaviced , in-knee 'd creature , remarkable for nothing that ever I heard tell of , except being reported to have shotten a gauger in Badenough , or thereabouts ; and for having a desperate red nose , the effects , ye observe , of drinking spirituous liquors ; ye observe , I daur say , what I am saying -- the effects of drinking malt speerits . `` Weel , week after week passed over , and better passed over , and Duncan played aff his tricks , like anither Herman Boaz , the slight-o ' - hand juggler , him that 's suspeckit to be in league and paction with the de'il . But ye 'll hear . '' ''