midnight
A sleeping volcano might start into eruption at any moment . At every important point along the trenches Hal paused , using the night glass that the lieutenant had loaned him . Ten o'clock came and passed without trouble . Then eleven and finally midnight passed . Sergeant Hal , however , was not to be caught napping . He resolved to be vigilant until Lieutenant Prescott relieved him . Hal had just glanced again at his watch , noting that the hour was nearly one , when a quiet voice reached him : `` Private Bender calls the sergeant ! ''