noon before
`` Sixty miles and upward I 've come since five o'clock yesterday morning , and I 'd agree to sleep under a field-piece in full action . '' Brereton took off his cap and wig to toss both on the floor , unbuckled his belt , and let his sabre fall noisily ; then sitting on the bed , he begged , `` Give me a hand with my boots , will you ? '' Those pulled off without rising he rolled over , and , bundling the disarranged bedclothes about him , he was instantly asleep . It was noon before consciousness returned to the tired body , and only then because the clatter of horses ' feet outside waked the sleeper and startled him so that he sprang from the bed to the window . Relieved by the sight of Continental uniforms , Brereton stretched himself as if still weary , and felt certain muscles , to test their various degrees of soreness , muttering complaints as he did so . Throwing aside his jacket , waistcoat , and shirt , he took his sword and pried out the crust of ice on the water in the tin milk-pail which stood on the wash-stand . Swashing the ice-cold water over his face and shoulders , he groaned a curse or two as the chill sent a shiver through him .