midnight
The soul of the man he had slain had taken this traditional form and was hunting down the slayer ! A thousand stories of Freund 's childhood verified the frightful truth . And overwrought human nature 's endurance went to pieces under the shock . A maniac howl of terror split the midnight stillness . Shriek after shriek rent the air . Freund tumbled convulsively to the ground at his colonel 's feet , gripping the officer 's booted knees and screeching for protection . The colonel , raging that the surprise attack should be imperiled by such a racket , beat the frantic man over the mouth with his heavy fist , kicking ferociously at his upturned writhing face , and snarling to him to be silent .