midnight
It was a narrow valley , through which a brook poured its waters into the desolation beneath . At the summit they stopped and rested for a few minutes . It was not , as may be imagined , very high ; but beneath lay the whole extent of the Dismal Swamp . It was after midnight . `` What can that brightness in the sky portend , my child ? There must be some dreadful fire ; and , alas ! it looks as if in the neighbourhood of Aescendune ! ''