midnight
When we had passed over a great mountaine full of trees , and were come againe into the open fields , behold we approached nigh to a faire and rich Castell , where it was told unto us that we were not able to passe in our journey that night , by reason of the great number of terrible Wolves which were in the Country about , so fierce and cruell that they put every man in feare , in such sort that they would invade and set upon such which passed by like theeves , and devoure both them and their beasts . Moreover , we were advertised that there lay in the way where we should passe , many dead bodies eaten and torne with wolves . Wherefore we were willed to stay there all night , and on the next morning , to goe close and round together , whereby we might passe and escape all dangers . But -LRB- notwithstanding this good counsell -RRB- our caitife drivers were so covetous to goe forward , and so fearefull of pursuite , that they never stayed till the morning : But being welnigh midnight , they made us trudge in our way apace . Then I fearing the great danger which might happen , ran amongst the middle of the other Horses , to the end I might defend and save my poore buttocks from the Wolves , whereat every man much marvelled to see , that I scowred away swifter then the other Horses . But such was my agility , not to get me any prayse , but rather for feare : at that time I remembered with my selfe , that the valiant Horse Pegasus did fly in the ayre more to avoyd the danger of dreadful Chimera , then for any thing else . The shepheards which drave us before them were well armed like warriours : one had a speare , another had a sheepehooke , some had darts , some clubbes , some gathered up great stones , some held up their sharp Javelings , and some feared away the Woolves with light firebrands .