midnight
With a half-muttered excuse , I drew hastily back into the protecting shadow of the stockade ; and as they slowly passed , I heard him jesting lightly , and saw her laughing , with a side-glance up at his face . With these words of warning from Ronan 's lips yet ringing in my ears , such reckless thoughtlessness of the danger encircling us astounded me ; and I drew farther back , less willing than ever to make one of them . Deep in my heart , I knew this was no time for careless laughter or happy jest . It was after midnight when I finally ceased my labors , feeling I had performed my fair share of the hard work of preparation . By this time everything was comparatively quiet within the stockade enclosure ; the wagons were piled with all that could be loaded before morning , and many of the wearied soldiers had flung themselves upon the ground to snatch what rest they might before the early call to march . The women and children had disappeared , to seek such comfort as was possible amid the ruins of their former quarters ; and only the sentries remained alert , pacing their solemn rounds on the narrow walk overlooking the palisades and the silent plain without . Physically wearied as I was , my mind remained intensely active , and I felt no desire for sleep .