five o'clock
From the bridge , to the nearest point where the forest was thick enough to afford a safe shelter , was a distance of about two miles . As soon as it became dark , the camp fires were allowed to bum low ; and shortly afterwards the whole corps , with the exception of the sentries , were sound asleep . At four o'clock they were roused , and marched silently off in the appointed direction . By five o'clock each party was at its post and , for half an hour , they lay in expectancy . The Barclays were with Major Tempe 's party , near the bridge . Louis Duburg , and Tim , were with the party at the village . The attack upon the village was to take place at half-past five ; and never did moments appear so slow , to the boys , as those which passed as they awaited the signal .