nine
o'clock
Every thing proceeded precisely as it would if they had been old soldiers , and engaged in the actual business of war . Richard was one of those who had been detailed from Company D , for guard duty . The camp ground was a large , open plain , bordering on one side upon a dense forest . The night was dark and dismal , and at nine o'clock Richard found himself walking his lonely beat , on the verge of the forest . There was a novelty about the situation that was very attractive to him , and as he walked his solitary round , he actually enjoyed it . It was not to all probable that an enemy , or even a straggler , would disturb the quiet of the scene by attempting to pass the line ; but though the guard had been commanded to be vigilant , he had abundant time and opportunity for reflection and castle-building . Our sentinel had imbibed much of the spirit of the soldier , from the martial exercise to which he had been trained , and he indulged in some pretty visions of military glory .