midnight
With anxiety the girls returned to the house . All was as quiet as when they left . Without incident the key was restored to Clifford 's pocket , and , donning her own attire , Harriet went to rouse Colonel Owen . For it was near midnight . `` What is that which the breeze , o'er the towering steep , As it fitfully blows , now conceals , now discloses ? Now it catches the gleam of the morning 's first beam , In full glory reflected now shines on the stream ; ’T is the star-spangled banner ; O long may it wave O'er the land of the free , and the home of the brave ! '' -- Francis Scott Key .