midday
repeated the colonel . `` That 's just back of Sumter 's quarters ; '' and he stepped out into the moonlight for clearer view . Afar over across the glistening level a few lights glimmered faintly in the row of officers ' quarters , bounding the northward side of the garrison , but neither along their front nor that of the westward row was there sign of moving humanity . The moon at its full , in that rare , clear atmosphere , illuminated the post , the frozen slopes beyond , and the dazzling range of the Rockies , with a radiance that rendered objects visible almost as at midday . Only the hurrying form of Captain Sumter could be seen half way across the parade . The Fosters ' sleigh , that by this time should have been back at the assembly room , was nowhere in sight . Sumter 's quarters were about the middle of the row .