midnight
sez he . `` From the Brophy gang , '' sez I. `` How do you know ? '' sez he . `` They are due to arrive here at midnight , Jabez , '' sez I. `` I do n't know why ; but I think we 'd better get ready for 'em now an ' argue about it to-morrow . '' `` I know why , '' sez lie . `` One of 'em stole one o ' my ponies an ' started to run off a bunch o ' my own cows with it . I strung him up an ' he said ` at Bill Brophy 'd get even with me for it .