midnight
The southern moon rode low , and the night was clear . They crossed two or three creeks , and also went through narrow belts of forest , but they never halted or hesitated . Potter and several others knew the way well , and night was the same as day to them . At midnight Ned saw a wide but shallow stream , much like the Guadalupe . Trees and reeds lined its banks . Potter informed him that this was the San Antonio River , and that they were now below the town of Goliad , where they meant to attack the Mexican force . `` And if Providence favors us , '' said Potter , `` we shall smite them quick and hard . ''