midnight
Demetrio 's brisk , imperious tones of order brought them abruptly to a halt . They dismounted by the side of a hill , protected by thick huizache trees . Without unsaddling their horses , each began to search for stones to serve as pillows . At midnight Demetrio Macias ordered the march to be resumed . The town was five or six miles away ; the best plan was to take the soldiers by surprise , before reveille . The sky was cloudy , with here and there a star shining . From time to time a flash of lightning crossed the sky with a red dart , illumining the far horizon .