noon
Corporal Truman , take Ensign Shields ' sword ! '' The young man was quickly disarmed , and once more the captain vociferated : `` Knock down and disarm that vixen ! Obey your orders , villains ! Or by h -- l , and all its fiends , I 'll have you all court-martialed , and shot before to-morrow noon ! '' The soldiers closed around the unprotected girl . `` Lord , all merciful ! forgive my sins , '' she prayed , and with a firm hand pulled the trigger !