summer noon
Could it be possible that the objects of their hatred had abandoned the house in the earlier part of the night , and thus defrauded them of their vengeance ? The thought was intolerable ; but that was a point which they would now be in a capacity soon to ascertain . Finding that the gate , as we said , was impregnable , unless with stronger implements , they had sent to a smith 's forge in the neighborhood , from whence they obtained two or three sledge-hammers . By the aid of these they soon shivered the gate to pieces , and , having accomplished this , they -- Before we proceed further , it is necessary to state , that the light of the burning cow-house fell upon them with the strength and clearness of a summer noon ; whilst , on the other hand , the proctor 's family , from the position of the house , were in complete obscurity . The advantage was , consequently , all on one side ; the Purcels , when the gate was demolished , saw the crowd clearly and distinctly , but the crowd could not at all see them . Feather-beds and other defenses had been placed at the windows , in such a manner that the firing from the house could be delivered with almost perfect impunity to the inmates , but with dreadful and deadly effect upon the assailants . The latter , having accomplished the destruction of the gate , were in the act of entering , when , all at once , such a well-directed volley was poured among them as caused every man of the front ranks to fall dead .