midnight
-- it might be the last of his earthly existence . `` About dark , the sentinels were stationed , as usual , round the house . They were four in number . `` Before midnight , all was still . Officers and soldiers were asleep . Crosby rose , and holding his chains , so that they should not clink , crept softly to the window , which he raised . Fast did his heart beat , while doing this -- but faster still as he slid to the ground , beneath the willow tree .