10 o'clock
`` We understand that , '' was the significant response of a couple of the stockmen . It was now growing so late that Sterry placed himself near the rear door to watch for the expected signal from Vesey , feeling , as the minutes passed , a nervousness greater than at any time before . Since no light burned in the house , the only means of determining the hour was by striking a match and holding it in front of a watch . Hope became high when 10 o'clock was at hand . Sterry half expected , in case everything promised well , that Vesey would manage to give something in the nature of a preliminary signal , but the closest scrutiny showed nothing of the kind . Capt. Asbury , who maintained his place near one of the front windows , close to the door , suddenly called : `` Come here a moment , Sterry . '' The young man stepped hastily across the room .