midnight
Still through my sleep I heard the sounds around me , the heavy tramp of infantry , the clash of the moving squadrons , and the dull roll of artillery ; and ever and anon the half-stifled cry of pain , mingling with the reckless carol of some drinking-song , all flitted through my dreams , lending to my thoughts of home and friends a memory of glorious war . All the vicissitudes of a soldier 's life passed then in review before me , elicited in some measure by the things about . The pomp and grandeur , the misery and meanness , the triumph , the defeat , the moment of victory , and the hour of death were there , and in that vivid dream I lived a life long . I awoke at length , the cold and chilling air which follows midnight blew around me , and my wounded arm felt as though it were frozen . I tried to cover myself beneath the straw , but in vain ; and as my limbs trembled and my teeth chattered , I thought again of home , where , at that moment , the poorest menial of my uncle 's house was better lodged than I ; and strange to say , something of pride mingled with the thought , and in my lonely heart a feeling of elation cheered me . These reflections were interrupted by the sound of a voice near me , which I at once knew to be O'Shaughnessy 's ; he was on foot , and speaking evidently in some excitement . `` I tell you , Maurice , some confounded blunder there must be ; sure , he was left in the cottage near the bridge , and no one ever saw him after . ''