midnight
This was always in request ; and whether read aloud , to an eager knot of listeners , or by some solitary man , was certain to be followed by stormy talking and excited looks . In the midst of all his merriment , and admiration of his captain , Hugh was made sensible by these and other tokens , of the presence of an air of mystery , akin to that which had so much impressed him out of doors . It was impossible to discard a sense that something serious was going on , and that under the noisy revel of the public-house , there lurked unseen and dangerous matter . Little affected by this , however , he was perfectly satisfied with his quarters and would have remained there till morning , but that his conductor rose soon after midnight , to go home ; Mr Tappertit following his example , left him no excuse to stay . So they all three left the house together : roaring a No-Popery song until the fields resounded with the dismal noise . ` Cheer up , captain ! ' cried Hugh , when they had roared themselves out of breath .