about midnight
-LSB- Illustration : MR. SPONGE STARTING FROM THE BOWER -RSB- The fact was , the whole hunt was knocked up in a hurry . Sir Harry , and the choice spirits by whom he was surrounded , had not finished celebrating the triumphs of the Snobston Green day , and as it was not likely that the hounds would be out again soon , the people of the hunting establishment were taking their ease . Watchorn had gone to be entertained at a public supper , given by the poachers and fox-stealers of the village of Bark-shot , as a ` mark of respect for his abilities as a sportsman and his integrity as a man , ' meaning his indifference to his master 's interests ; while the first-whip had gone to visit his aunt , and the groom was away negotiating the exchange of a cow . With things in this state , Wily Tom of Tinklerhatch , a noted fox-stealer in Lord Scamperdale 's country , had arrived with a great thundering dog fox , stolen from his lordship 's cover near the cross roads at Dallington Burn , which being communicated to our friends about midnight in the smoking-room at Nonsuch House , it was resolved to hunt him forthwith , especially as one of the guests , Mr. Orlando Bugles , of the Surrey Theatre , was obliged to return to town immediately , and , as he sometimes enacted the part of Squire Tallyho , it was thought a little of the reality might correct the Tom and Jerry style in which he did it . Accordingly , orders were issued for a hunt , notwithstanding the hounds were fed and the horses watered . Sir Harry did n't ` care a rap ; let them go as fast as they could . ' All these circumstances conspired to make them late ; added to which , when Watchorn , the huntsman , cast up , which he did on a higgler 's horse , he found the only sound one in his stud had gone to the neighbouring town to get some fiddlers -- her ladyship having determined to compliment Mr. Bugles ' visit by a quadrille party .