day-peep

With that morbid wilfulness of temper which marks the passions of man aroused beyond the restraints of right reason, he determined that the negro should have his opportunity; and, changing his plans, he set forth the next morning before day-peep, obviously for the purpose of hunting.

The Wigwam and the Cabin. By the Author of "The Yemassee," "Guy Rivers," &c. Second Series 1845

But quick, McKewn; I've got a stretch of bad riding to do yit before day-peep. "

The Sword and the Distaff: Or, "Fair, Fat, and Forty." A Story of the South, at the Close of the Revolution by the Author of "The Partisan," "Mellichampe," "Katharine Walton," Etc. Etc. 1852