one o'clock
Peter Van der Werff alone maintained his composure and , after Allertssohn 's messenger had appeared and reported that the captain and his men were on the way to Leyderdorp , the burgomaster pointed out that the leaders ' care should now be devoted to the people who had come to the fair . He and Van Hout undertook to provide for them , and Adrian was soon standing with his father and the city clerk among the crowds of people , who had been roused from sleep by the wailing iron voice from the Tower or Pancratius . Adrian 's activity for this night was not yet over , for his father did not prevent his accompanying him to the town-hall . There he directed him to tell his mother , that he should be busy until morning and the servant might send all persons , who desired to speak to him after one o'clock , to the timber-market on the Rhine . Maria sent the boy back to the town - hall , to ask his father if he did not want his cloak , wine , a lunch or anything of the sort . The boy fulfilled this commission with great zeal , for he never had felt so important as while forcing his way through the crowds that had gathered in the narrower streets ; he had a duty to perform , and at night , the time when other boys were asleep , especially his school-mates , who certainly would not be allowed to leave the house now . Besides , an eventful period , full of the beating of drums , the blare of trumpets , the rattle of musketry and roar of cannon might be expected .