noon
The conference of the officers was quickly over , and then the men were put to work building higher the walls of earth and deepening the ditches . Many picks and spades had been captured in the fort , and others used bayonets . All , besides the guard , toiled hard two or three hours without interruption . It was now noon , and food was served . An abundance of water in barrels had been found in the fort and the men drank it eagerly as the sun was warm and the work with spade and shovel made them very thirsty . The three boys , despite their rank , had been taking turns with the men and they leaned wearily against the earthwork . The clatter of tools had ceased .