eleven o'clock
But ten feet was too great a space to be crossed at a bound before he might utter one cry that would alarm the camp . One cry , even half a cry , meant ruin to us . It was not enough that this sentry die ; he must die without having uttered the merest sound . I determined , therefore , to wait until his senses became focused , his breathing centered , on the eleven o'clock call ; for , so occupied , his mind would be a fraction of a second slower in responding to an outside thought which came unawares to him than if he were standing on the alert for sounds . This seemed to be good psychology . When he cleared his throat to call eleven , therefore , I would spring -- and the gods be with me ! I own that for a little while my heart did pound unmercifully , but with even less mercy I willed it to be calm .