midday
It is said he became sick and wanted to be a monk , but when he became well -- well -- Was this the case with Etienne ? Time will show : for the present we leave him blowing the horn suspended at the gate of St. Ouen 's priory . `` Raro antecedentem scelestum Deseruit pede Poena claudo . '' It was midday , and the sun was pouring the full power of his noontide beams on the wilderness of reeds and flags which overspread the southern side of the Dismal Swamp , reposing on the treacherous surface of bog , quagmire , and quicksand . Signs of life there were none , save when the bittern rose from its nest , amidst the long reeds or sedgy grass , or the moor fowl flew over the surface of the inky water , which here and there collected into pools . The feeble hum of insects filled the air , but all else was peace and solitude . Save that there was a sign of life on the farther side of the Swamp -- a solitary figure half concealed by bushes , stood watching on a promontory of firm land , looking anxiously -- from his slight elevation over the surface of the fen .