midnight
`` We 'll see those horns of the crescent still pushing forward . They mean to get us . They mean to smash up everything here in a month , and then go back and get Russia . '' The firing went on until long past midnight . Toward morning they slept a little in a field , but when day came they saw the gray masses still in pursuit . All day long the terrible retreat went on , the defense fighting fiercely , but slowly withdrawing , the Germans pressing hard , and always seeking to envelop their flanks . There was continual danger that the army would be lost , but no dismay .