Midnight
`` But he could not sleep . What should he do ? He thought -- pondered -- hesitated -- but at length , resolved . Midnight came . He rose , and having put on his clothes , softly passed from his chamber down stairs . At every step he listened -- all was still -- without disturbing even the wary captain , he left the premises , and was soon on his way towards White Plains . `` An hour or two brought him to the residence of Mr. Jay , whom he called from his bed , and to whom he related what he knew .