midnight
`` I 'm younger than you , and I 'll fight as heartily under Mr. Phoebus 's orders . '' Aunt Hominy 's voice came in blank monologue out of the background : `` He tuk dat debbil 's hat , chillen , an ' measured us in wid little Vessy . '' * * * * * That evening there was a long , free conference between Samson and Patty Cannon , in her kitchen , next to the bar , where Hulda heard laughing and invitations to drink , and all the sounds of perfect equality , the negro 's piquant sayings and _ bonhommie _ seeming to disarm and please the designing woman , whose familiarity was at once her influence and her weakness , and she lavished her sociable nature on blacks and whites . Samson was so fearless and observing that he betrayed no interest in escaping , and came slowly into the range of her temperament ; but , as Hulda peeped , towards midnight , into the kitchen , she saw old Samson kindly patting juba , while Patty was executing a drunken dance . As the latter dropped upon a pallet bed she had there , and fell into a doze , the colored man quietly raised the latch and walked off the tavern porch . * * * * * In the morning dawn horses and voices were heard by Hulda , and she recognized Joe Johnson 's steps in the house . He shook Patty Cannon , but could not awaken her ; then looked into Van Dorn 's room , and found Hulda , apparently sound asleep , and heard his name called by Allan McLane across the hall : `` Joe !