nearly midnight
The enemy , they reported , were not over 15,000 strong while , in all , the Garibaldians and mobilized national guards in the town were 30,000 to 40,000 strong . The French were also much stronger in artillery . Captain Barclay returned home with the boys . They sat up late , talking over the affair , and it was nearly midnight when they went up to their rooms . Suddenly , they were startled by a fresh outburst of fire upon the heights . In a minute or two , all the household were in the garden . `` It is a night attack , '' Captain Barclay said ; `` and judging by the sound , they are in earnest .