midnight
He and Mark piloted the three ladies over the narrow border of the hole , which looked a very black open gulf . Annaple had thanked the men , and bidden them come to Lescombe the next day to be paid for their assistance . Then they all stood to watch Mark ride through the river , at the shallowest place , indicated both by her and the labourers . It was perfectly fordable , so Annaple 's were mock heroics when she quoted -- ` Never heavier man and horse Stemmed a midnight torrent 's force . ' And Nuttie responded in a few seconds -- ` Yet through good heart and our Ladye 's grace Full soon he gained the landing place . ' They were both in high spirits , admiring each other 's droll appearance , and speculating on the ghosts they might appear to any one who chanced to look out of window . Annaple walked at the horse 's head , calling him poor old Robin Hood , and caressing him , while Gerard and Nuttie kept together .