midnight
I said a hurried prayer , and put round my helm into the wind before my time . Even the shoal , thought I , was less to fear than the unearthly terrors of that awful deserted house . By good luck the strong wind carried me in clear of the bank and so into fairly still water , and in half-an-hour more I was in under the light of Knockowen , mooring my boat in his honour 's little harbour . It must have been near midnight , and I was wondering how I should waken the house and deliver my message , when a voice close beside me said , -- `` Are the guns all landed and taken up to the house ? '' It was his honour 's voice . But I could not see him in the dark . `` I beg your pardon , your honour , '' said I , `` it 's me , Barry Gallagher . ''