midnight
`` After the tale those who have got down safely will have to tell , we may be sure they will do nothing until morning , and it may well be that they may think it advisable to be off to attack some other place not so strongly defended . However , we will presently beat them up , and if possible capture their cannon , and without them they could not hope to take any fortified house well defended . '' For a time there was a prodigious din in the valley , sounds of men shouting and quarrelling , of others trying in vain to make their voices heard , and to address the excited peasants . In an hour it quieted down , and by midnight all was still . Hector had been busy with his preparations . `` How many horses have we ? '' he asked .