midnight
A vidette dashed into the village with the news at midnight . Almost instantly came the order : `` Every man to the blockhouse ! The British and refugees are approaching ! '' `` Last noon beheld them full of lusty life , Last eve in beauty 's circle , proudly gay , The midnight brought the signal-sound of strife , The morn the marshaling in arms , -- the day , Battle 's magnificently-stern array ! '' -- _ Byron . _ The cry echoed and reëchoed through the streets of Tom 's River : `` Every man to the blockhouse ! The British and refugees are approaching ! ''