the hour of five
`` I have often heard mention made of the Rover , '' returned the countryman ; `` but never to enter into any of the intricate particulars of his knavery . '' `` How should you , boy , who live up in the country , know so much of what is passing on the great deep , as we who dwell in a port that is so much resorted to by mariners ! I am fearful you 'll be making it late home , Pardon , '' he added , glancing his eye at certain lines drawn on his shop-board , by the aid of which he was enabled to note the progress of the setting sun . `` It is drawing towards the hour of five , and you have twice that number of miles to go , before you can , by any manner of means , reach the nearest boundary of your father 's farm . '' `` The road is plain , and the people honest , '' returned the countryman , who cared not if it were midnight , provided he could be the bearer of tidings of some dreadful sea robbery to the ears of those whom he well knew would throng around him , at his return , to hear the tidings from the port . `` And is he , in truth , so much feared and sought for , as people say ? '' `` Is he sought for !