midnight
`` I had thought there was never a book in the valley , out of mine own closet , that dealeth in these abstrusities ! '' `` Dost think the scriptures are strangers to us ? There -- thou art now in the public path , and thy journey is without danger . It is matter of marvel to many in this settlement , how thou movest about at midnight , amongst upturned roots of trees , holes , logs and stumps , without falling -- '' `` I have told thee , Ensign , it is by virtue of much training given to the beast . Certain am I , that neither whip nor spur would compel the animal to pass the bounds of discretion . Often have I travelled this bridle-path , without fear as in truth without danger , when sight was a sense of as little use as that of smelling . '' `` I was about to say , falling into thine own hands , which would be a tumble of little less jeopardy than even that of the wicked spirits . ''