eight o'clock in the morning
help ! '' she cried . `` Down there . '' Attacks by highwaymen were not uncommon experiences , though scarcely at eight o'clock in the morning , or so near a garrison , but the horsemen , having already heard the shots , galloped forward . Perhaps Anne could hardly have turned her pony , but it chose to follow the lead of its fellows , and in a few seconds they were in the midst of a scene of utter confusion . Peregrine was grappling with Burford trying to drag him from his horse . Both fell together , and as the auxiliaries came in sight there was another shot and two more men rode off headlong .