midnight
The stillness , the heavy quiet oppressed John . He had been in the woods at night many times at home , but there one heard the croaking of frogs at the water 's edge , the buzzing of insects , and now and then the cry of night birds , but here in this degenerate forest nothing stirred , and the air was absolutely pulseless . Time began to lengthen . He looked at his watch , but it was not yet midnight , and Lannes was still motionless and sleeping . He had resolved , as most of the strain had fallen upon his comrade , to let him sleep far beyond his allotted half , and he walked about again , but soundlessly , in order to keep his faculties awake and keen . The night had been dark . Many clouds were floating between him and the moon .