midnight
Early at morning , just as the dawn began to pale the sandy bluffs along the shore , and while the cypress bottoms still lay under the blackness of night , there came the trampling of horses , the low tones of men , the sharp , nervous voices of women , and the cries of children untimely gathered from their trundle-beds . The Major and his wife were ready to receive this overflow of company . A spliced table was stretched nearly the full length of the long hall , and a great kettle of coffee was blubbering on the fire . There were but three negroes on the place , one man and two women -- the others had answered a call at midnight and had gone away . But the remaining ones were faithful ; at a drowsy hour they left their beds and with no word of complaint took it upon themselves to execute a new and hurried task . `` Bill , '' said the Major , `` I want you and your wife and Polly to understand that I never forget such faithfulness as you are now showing , and when I come back -- but now is the best time . Here are ten dollars apiece for you and you must remember that as long as I live you shall never want for anything . ''