nearly midnight
Langdon and St. Clair whispered together , but he said nothing . It was permitted to the three to lie down in their blankets in the earthwork and sleep , but they did not think of trying it . They wished to know the meaning of those cannon shots and they waited , tense with excitement . It was nearly midnight when Colonel Leonidas Talbot came . `` We have learned that the Northern vessels will appear before Charleston tomorrow , '' he said , `` and the shots were a signal to all our people to be ready . The attack on Sumter will begin in the morning . Now you three boys must go to sleep .