midnight
Having been saved from death by the miraculous interposition of Providence , he could think of nothing but of retrieving his character . This , he wrote , he could not hope to do in the ranks as a discredited soldier still under suspicion . He had the means to give a striking proof of his fidelity . And he ended by proposing to the General-in-Chief a meeting at midnight in the middle of the Plaza before the Moneta . The signal would be to strike fire with flint and steel three times , which was not too conspicuous and yet distinctive enough for recognition . `` San Martin , the great Liberator , loved men of audacity and courage . Besides , he was just and compassionate .