midnight
The Kingston people were in their first sleep when Will Marks and his conductor rode through the town and up to the door of a house where sundry grave functionaries were assembled , anxiously expecting the arrival of the renowned Podgers . They were a little disappointed to find a gay young man in his place ; but they put the best face upon the matter , and gave him full instructions how he was to conceal himself behind the gibbet , and watch and listen to the witches , and how at a certain time he was to burst forth and cut and slash among them vigorously , so that the suspected parties might be found bleeding in their beds next day , and thoroughly confounded . They gave him a great quantity of wholesome advice besides , and -- which was more to the purpose with Will -- a good supper . All these things being done , and midnight nearly come , they sallied forth to show him the spot where he was to keep his dreary vigil . The night was by this time dark and threatening . There was a rumbling of distant thunder , and a low sighing of wind among the trees , which was very dismal . The potentates of the town kept so uncommonly close to Will that they trod upon his toes , or stumbled against his ankles , or nearly tripped up his heels at every step he took , and , besides these annoyances , their teeth chattered so with fear , that he seemed to be accompanied by a dirge of castanets .