midnight
at the door of the hospital , she gave him a piece of gold which he was loth to accept till she said : `` But take it as a souvenir of Colonel Byng 's little ride with ` Old Gunter . ' '' With a laugh , he took it then , and replied , `` I 'll not smoke it , I 'll not eat it , and I 'll not drink it . I 'll wear it for luck and God-bless-you ! '' It was almost midnight . The camp was sleeping . The forces of destruction lay torpid in the starry shadow of the night . There was no moon , but the stars gave a light that relieved the gloom .