about seven
o'clock
All near the house , too , was in the same excellent condition ; for while the head-land itself lay in common , this portion of it was enclosed in two or three pretty little fields , that were grazed by a single horse , and a couple of cows . There were no hedges , however , the thorn not growing willingly in a situation so exposed ; but the fields were divided by fences , neatly enough made of wood , that declared its own origin , having in fact been part of the timbers and planks of a wreck . As the whole was whitewashed , it had a rustic , and in a climate where the sun is seldom oppressive , by no means a disagreeable appearance . The scene with which we desire to commence the tale , opens about seven o'clock on a July morning . On a bench at the foot of the signal-staff , was seated one of a frame that was naturally large and robust , but which was sensibly beginning to give way , either by age or disease . A glance at the red , bloated face , would suffice to tell a medical man , that the habits had more to do with the growing failure of the system , than any natural derangement of the physical organs . The face , too , was singularly manly , and had once been handsome , even ; nay , it was not altogether without claims to be so considered still ; though intemperance was making sad inroads on its comeliness .