About ten o'clock
`` Thank you , no , it 's too hot , and your wife and babies need the money , Green . '' The words were half drowned in the clang of the dinner bell , and the group scattered , Snell , and most of the others hurrying into the dining-room in answer to the welcome call . After dinner Snell sauntered out in the direction of the stable , passed with a seemingly careless glance in at the door , and strolled onward ; but in that momentary glimpse had noted the exact position of his horse . About ten o'clock that night he stole quietly out again , made his way unobserved to the stable , saddled and bridled his steed , all in the dark , mounted and rode away , passing through the village streets at a very moderate pace , but breaking into a round trot as soon as he had fairly reached the open country . He pressed on for several miles , but slackened his speed as he neared the forest known as Miller 's Woods . For the last mile or more he had heard , both in front and rear , the thumping of horses ' hoofs , and occasionally a word or two spoken in an undertone , by gruff voices . He was anxious to avoid an encounter with their owners , and on reaching the outskirts of the wood , suddenly left the road , and springing to the ground , took his horse by the bridle , and led him along for some rods under the trees ; then fastening him securely , opened a bundle he had brought with him , and speedily arrayed himself in the hideous Ku Klux disguise .