midnight
Among the latter were Mr. Toley and Bulger , whose excellent service in capturing the Good Intent had enforced their request to be allowed to accompany the little army . Shortly before dawn on June twenty-second Clive 's men began to cross the river . The passage being made in safety , they rested during the hot hours , and resumed their march in the evening amid a heavy storm of rain , often having to wade waist-high the flooded fields . Soon after midnight the men , drenched to the skin , reached a mango grove somewhat north of the village of Plassey : and there , as they lay down in discomfort to snatch a brief sleep before dawn , they heard the sound of tom toms and trumpets from the Nawab 's camp three miles away . '' 'T is a real comfort , that there noise , '' remarked Bulger as he stirred his campfire with his hook . Desmond had come to bid him good night . `` Ay , true comfort to a sea-goin ' man like me .