midnight
The rest move forward , guided by Rube , who carries them round the edge of the forest , here and there dropping a picket of several men as he proceeds . These parties conceal themselves at their respective stations , remain silent , and wait for the signal from the bugle , which is to be given at the hour of daybreak . The night passes slowly and silently . The fires one by one go out , until the plain is wrapt in the gloom of a moonless midnight . Dark clouds travel over the sky , portending rain : a rare phenomenon in these regions . The swan utters its wild note , the gruya whoops over the stream , and the wolf howls upon the skirts of the sleeping village . The voice of the bull-bat wails through the air .