Everything was as ready as we could make it on the platform. A railroad employee was busy lighting the lamps around the station. I could now see the station clock, which was showing ten minutes after midnight, local time. Then I looked south, toward Wilmington. I thought I heard a train whistle, but peering into the darkness I could see nothing. Carney, or “Blarney” as he is known to the men assigned to temporary duty, came running over from the direction of the telegraph office. He saluted and offered me a chit. I turned toward him slightly, returned the salute