midnight
This the lady graciously acknowledged in a few words , but seemed more inclined to indulge in her own private thoughts than to encourage any conversation . They all left the house together , and , when in the open air , were committed to the special guard of half a dozen of the party , who composed the centre ; and , in this order , led by Spikeman , the cavalcade commenced their march . They had proceeded at a slow pace , on account of the females , and in silence , broken only by an occasional question and answer , for perhaps half an hour , when one of the men observed that either the moon had risen or the morning was breaking . `` There is no moon , Cowlson , '' said a soldier ; `` nor , according to my reckoning , can it be much past midnight . The light ye see comes from the North ; and , an ' it were winter , I should think it was the shooting of the Northern lights . '' `` These be no Northern lights , nor Southern , nor moon , nor morning , '' said another . `` An ' it be not a fire , my name is not Job Bloyce . ''