midnight
After the corporal had emptied one pocket , `` Now the other , man-o-wee - wee ! '' said McGilveray , and presently the two were drinking what the flask from the `` trousies pocket '' contained . So well did McGilveray work upon the Frenchman 's bonhomie that the corporal promised he should escape . He explained how McGilveray should be freed -- that at midnight some one would come and release him , while he , the corporal , was with his companions , so avoiding suspicion as to his own complicity . McGilveray and the corporal were to meet again and exchange courtesies after the manner of brothers -- if the fortunes of war permitted . McGilveray was left alone . To while away the time he began to whistle to himself , and what with whistling , and what with winking and talking to the lantern on the table , and calling himself painful names , he endured his captivity well enough .