midnight
_ '' said the lieutenant , faltering as he spoke ; and when he had pronounced the word _ husband _ , he again paused , as though his heart were full . The soldier was retiring -- `` Stay , '' added the officer , `` tell her , her father , her brother , and -- the preacher , shall not die ; before daybreak she shall see them again ; and give her this ring as a token that ye speak truly . '' He took a ring from his finger , and gave it into the hands of the soldier . It was drawing towards midnight . The troops of Claverhouse were quartered around the country , and his three prisoners , still bound to each other , were confined in a small farm-house , from which the inhabitants had been expelled . They could hear the heavy and measured tread of the sentinel pacing backward and forward in front of the house ; the sound of his footsteps seemed to measure out the moments between them and eternity . After they had sung a psalm and prayed together -- `` I am auld , '' said John Brydone , `` and I fear not to die , but rather glory to lay down my life for the great cause ; but , oh , Daniel !