midnight
Suddenly he sat bolt-upright in the bed , and at the same instant she bent and struck him a stunning blow with the butt of her revolver . Breathless , motionless , she saw him fall back and lie there without a quiver ; presently she leaned over him , tore open his jacket and shirt , and laid her steady hand upon his heart . For a moment she remained there , looking down into his face ; then with a sob she bent and kissed him on the lips . * * * * * At midnight , as she was riding out of the hill scrub , a mounted vidette hailed her on the Gettysburg pike , holding her there while horseman after horseman galloped up , and the officer of the guard came cantering across the fields at the far summons . A lantern glimmered , flared up ; there was a laugh , the sound of a dozen horses backing , a low voice : `` Pass ! Special Messenger for headquarters ! '' Then the lantern-light flashed and went out ; shadowy horsemen wheeled away east and west , trotting silently to posts across the sod .