eight in the evening
Graham succeeded in making himself fully master of the disposition of the Rebel forces in the vicinity , and eventually learned that the greater part of them had been withdrawn . When he had communicated this intelligence to Iss , they prepared to start for the Union lines on the following night , which proved dark and stormy . Iss , prudent man , kept the secret of his flight from even his wife , and satisfied his marital compunctions by chucking her under the chin and calling her `` honey '' once or twice while she got supper for him . At eight in the evening he summoned Graham from his hiding-place , and led him , with almost the unerring instinct of some wild creature of the night , due northeast , the direction in which the Union forces were said to be at that time . It was a long , desolate tramp , and the dawn found them drenched and weary . But the glorious sun rose warm and bright , and in a hidden glade of the forest they dried their clothes , rested , and refreshed themselves . After a long sleep in a dense thicket they were ready to resume their journey at nightfall .