two o'clock
`` That is so , '' Bonchamp said , `` and I do not expect that we shall beat them ; but we must fight , or they will march through the country , wasting and destroying as they go . It is only by showing them that we are still formidable , and that they must keep together and be prudent and cautious , that we can maintain ourselves . A succession of blows , even of light ones , will break a rock . '' At two o'clock the enemy 's forces approached , and the engagement soon became hot . Every hedge was lined by the peasants , every position strongly defended , and only evacuated when the horns gave the signal . At the end of two hours Westermann , after losing a considerable number of men , approached ground where his cavalry could come into play ; and the leaders of all the bands had been warned that , when they fell back to this point , the horn was to be sounded three times , and that resistance was to cease at once and the bands disperse , to meet at a given point , two hours later . Seven of the ten cannon they had with them were safely carried off ; and although compelled to retire from their position , the peasants were well satisfied with having withstood , so long , the attack of an equal number of troops , supported by an artillery much superior to their own .