About eleven o'clock
They talked with animation of the great adventure , on which they would soon start , as Stuart and Cabell and most of the Virginians were going with Braddock . They drank a speedy capture of Fort Duquesne , and confusion to the French and their red allies . Robert , imitating the example of Tayoga , ate sparingly and scarcely tasted the punch . About eleven o'clock , the night being warm , unusually warm for that early period of spring , and nearly all the guests having joined in the singing , more or less well , of patriotic songs , Robert , thinking that his absence would not be noticed , walked outside in search of coolness and air . It was but a step from the lights and brilliancy of the tavern to the darkness of Williamsburg 's single avenue . There were no street lanterns , and only a moon by which to see . He could discern the dim bulk of William and Mary College and of the Governor 's Palace , but except near at hand the smaller buildings were lost in the dusk .