midnight
`` They 're mighty good places in a blizzard . But I think I 'll stay outside too , if Colonel Winchester will let us . '' The colonel soon disposed his force . The younger officers were to sleep before a fire as they wished , although about half way between midnight and morning they were to join the watch , which he intended to be strong and vigilant . Meanwhile they ate supper and their spirits were so high that they almost made a festival of it . The aroma of the ham and bacon , broiled in the winter open , would have made a jaded epicure hungry . They had sardines and oysters , in tins , and plenty of coffee , with army biscuits which were not hard to them .