midnight
Having done this , he again struck the book violently , as if to confirm the energy with which he swore , and then calmly descending the steps , stood with a serene countenance , like a man conscious of having performed a good action . As this oath did not pledge those who refused to take the other to the perpetration of any specific crime , it was readily taken by all present . Preparations were then made to execute what was intended : the half burned turf was placed in a little pot ; another glass of whiskey was distributed ; and the door being locked by the Captain , who kept the key as parish clerk and schoolmaster , the crowd departed silently from the chapel . The moment those who lay in the darkness , during the night , made their appearance at the altar , we knew at once the persons we were to visit ; for , as I said before , they were related to the miscreants whom one of those persons had convicted , in consequences of their midnight attack upon himself and his family . The Captain 's object in keeping them unseen was , that those present , not being aware of the duty about to be imposed on them , might have less hesitation about swearing to its fulfilment . Our conjectures were correct ; for on leaving the chapel we directed our steps to the house in which this devoted man resided . The night was still stormy , but without rain : it was rather dark , too , though not so as to prevent us from seeing the clouds careering swiftly through the air .