about three o'clock
The officers had notified their men before retiring that the start would be made at about four in the morning , in order that they might have all the rest possible , and all had hastened to turn in and were sleeping greedily , forgetful of their troubles . Above the scattered camps the deep respiration of all those slumbering crowds , rising upon the stillness of the night , was like the long-drawn breathing of old Mother Earth . Suddenly a shot rang out in the darkness and aroused the sleepers . It was about three o'clock , and the obscurity was profound . Immediately everyone was on foot , the alarm spread through the camp ; it was supposed the Prussians were attacking . It was only Loubet who , unable to sleep longer , had taken it in his head to make a foray into the oak-wood , which he thought gave promise of rabbits : what a jolly good lark it would be if he could bring in a pair of nice rabbits for the comrades ' breakfast ! But as he was looking about for a favorable place in which to conceal himself , he heard the sound of voices and the snapping of dry branches under heavy footsteps ; men were coming toward him ; he took alarm and discharged his piece , believing the Prussians were at hand .