midnight
This letter by no means lightened Vavel 's gloomy mood . Colonel Oudet , the secret chief of the Philadelphians in the French army , heartily thanked Count Vavel for his offer of assistance to overthrow Napoleon ; but he also gave the count to understand that , were Bonaparte defeated , the republic would be restored to France . In this case , what would become of Vavel 's cherished plans ? It was after midnight . The pole of `` Charles 's Wain '' in the heavens stood upward . Ludwig approached the watch-fire , and told the lieutenant on guard that he might go to his tent , that he , Vavel , would take his place for the remainder of the night . Then he let the reins drop on the neck of his horse , and while the beast grazed on the luxuriant grass , his rider , with his carbine resting in the hollow of his arm , continued the night watch .