midnight
In a moment the whole party were up and stirring . `` This way , lads ! '' cried I , as drawing my sabre , I dashed into the pine wood . For a few moments all was dark as midnight ; but as we proceeded farther , we came out upon a little open space which commanded the plain beneath for a great extent . `` There it goes ! '' said one of the men , pointing to a narrow , beaten path , in which the tall figure moved at a slow and stately pace , while still the same wild gestures of heads and limbs continued . `` Do n't fire , men !