midnight
I am myself another victim to the assumed patriotism of this party . I came over here two years since to take the command . A command , -- but in what an army ! An undisciplined rabble , without arms , without officers , without even clothes ; their only notion of warfare , a midnight murder , or a reckless and indiscriminate slaughter . The result could not be doubtful , -- utter defeat and discomfiture . My countrymen , disgusted at the scenes they witnessed , and ashamed of such _ confrerie _ ; accepted the amnesty , and returned to France . I -- '' Here he hesitated , and blushed slightly ; after which he resumed : -- `` I yielded to a credulity for which there was neither reason nor excuse : I remained .