midnight
`` We know nothing but what Fray Ignatius tells us -- that the Americans have been everywhere pulling down churches , and granting martyrdom to the priests , and that everywhere miraculous retributions have pursued them . '' `` Was Gonzales a retribution ? The Senor Doctor came to us while we were there . God be blessed ; but he startled us like the rattle of rifle-shots in the midnight ! ` Why were you not at Goliad ? ' he cried . ` There were three hundred stand of arms there , and cannon , and plenty of provisions .