midnight
`` Our friends will soon be here , '' he said . `` We shall muster nearly a dozen muskets , and I hope that with them we may be able to keep the rebels at bay ; though , if they 're disposed for mischief , they may ravage our plantations with impunity . '' The overseer and clerks , each armed to the teeth , soon afterwards came in , and our preparations for defence went on still more rapidly . It was now midnight , but as yet none of the neighbours had arrived ; and we formed but a small garrison to defend so small a building from the host of foes who might attack it . `` Me go out and see whether niggers come ? '' said Caesar . `` No , no ; you stay in the house , and help fight , '' answered his master , who had n't forgot the black 's purpose of running away and leaving us to our fate .