midnight
Carefully taking away his gun Si awoke him , and frightened him half to death by telling him that he would report him and he would be shot for sleeping on post . Si finally said he would n't tell on him this time , but he must never do so again , or he would be a dead man . `` Corporal of the guard ! '' was heard again , sometime after midnight . `` If they try any more measly tricks on me to-night somebody 'll git hurt ! '' thought Si as he walked briskly along the line in response to the call . This time it was a `` contraband '' -- an old negro , who stood shivering with terror as the guard held him at the point of the bayonet .