three o'clock
Then he slowly and thoughtfully went to his room , where his perturbed spirit was soon soothed in sleep . His conscience being clear and his health perfect , there were no deep cares to keep him tossing on a restless pillow . To Chester , however , sleep was impossible : he tramped the piazza a full hour before he felt placid enough to go and inspect his guard . The sentries were calling three o'clock , and the wind had died away , as he started on his round . Dark as was the night , he carried no lantern . The main garrison was well lighted by lamps , and the road circling the old fort was broad , smooth , and bordered by a stone coping wall where it skirted the precipitous descent into the river-bottom . As he passed down the plank walk west of the quadrangle wherein lay the old barracks and the stone quarters of the commanding officer and the low one-storied row of bachelor dens , he could not help noting the silence and peace of the night .