midnight
At an unknown hour he was aroused by the creaking of boards . Lifting himself upon his elbow , he saw a sergeant prowling among the sleeping forms . The sergeant carried a candle in an old brass candle-stick . He would have resembled some old farmer on an unusual midnight tour if it were not for the significance of his gleaming buttons and striped sleeves . Billie blinked stupidly at the light until his mind returned from the journeys of slumber . The sergeant stooped among the unconscious soldiers , holding the candle close , and peering into each face . `` Hello , Haines , '' said Billie .