noon
`` You may go back to your chief and tell him that we have come to get the captives he has . You must tell him that we have no desire to injure him or his people . Tell him that all the tribes are now united , and that if he does not give up the white people and all others , we will take him and his villages , and give his lands to the other tribes . `` You must further tell him that we must have his answer at once , and if he does not answer by the time the sun is above us -LRB- noon -RRB- , we will consider him our enemy , and shall attack him . '' The captive received full instructions from Uraso , who warned him that if he failed to convey this information in the manner given it would go hard with him . John went forward with the prisoner , and he was released within sight of the Illyas ' camp . The enemy was at that time in great commotion , as they were , from all indications , preparing for defense .