midnight
which is in that country supposed powerful as an exorcism , and turned himself once more towards the place where he had seen the fire . But it was no longer visible . The pale moon alone enlightened the side of the valley ; and when George , with trembling steps , a moist brow , and hair bristling upright under his collier 's cap , came to the spot on which the fire had been so lately visible , marked as it was by a scathed oak-tree , there appeared not on the heath the slightest vestiges of what he had seen . The moss and wild flowers were unscorched , and the branches of the oak-tree , which had so lately appeared enveloped in wreaths of flame and smoke , were moist with the dews of midnight . George returned to his hut with trembling steps , and , arguing like his elder brother , resolved to say nothing of what he had seen , lest he should awake in Martin that daring curiosity which he almost deemed to be allied with impiety . It was now Martin 's turn to watch . The household cock had given his first summons , and the night was well-nigh spent .