about midnight
Let it be so -- they will learn from it little but what they already know ; that , as a man and an Englishman , my soul revolts at the usage which I have received ; that I am determined to essay every possible means to obtain my freedom ; that captivity has not broken my spirit , and that , although they may doubtless complete their oppression by murder , I am still willing to bequeath my cause to the justice of my country . Undeterred , therefore , by the probability that my papers may be torn from me , and subjected to the inspection of one in particular , who , causelessly my enemy already , may be yet further incensed at me for recording the history of my wrongs , I proceed to resume the history of events which have befallen me since the conclusion of my last letter to my dear Alan Fairford , dated , if I mistake not , on the 5th day of this still current month of August . Upon the night preceding the date of that letter , I had been present , for the purpose of an idle frolic , at a dancing party at the village of Brokenburn , about six miles from Dumfries ; many persons must have seen me there , should the fact appear of importance sufficient to require investigation . I danced , played on the violin , and took part in the festivity till about midnight , when my servant , Samuel Owen , brought me my horses , and I rode back to a small inn called Shepherd 's Bush , kept by Mrs. Gregson , which had been occasionally my residence for about a fortnight past . I spent the earlier part of the forenoon in writing a letter , which I have already mentioned , to you , my dear Alan , and which , I think , you must have received in safety . Why did I not follow your advice , so often given me ? Why did I linger in the neighbourhood of a danger , of which a kind voice had warned me ?