five in the
morning
This farm , which was in fact a handsome country house , was distant about ten miles from the town . He therefore made an appeal to the citizens that they should arm themselves and help him to defend his property , as he had determined not to pay , and had taken steps to be informed as to the exact date when the attack was to be made in default of payment . More than three hundred citizens enrolled themselves as willing to turn out in arms . On the day preceding the attack by the brigands , a rendezvous was given to these three hundred on the great square for five in the morning , and thither I accordingly repaired , unable , however , to induce my host to accompany me , although he had signed as a volunteer . On reaching the rendezvous , I found the landed proprietor and a friend who was living with him , and about ten minutes afterward two other volunteers strolled up . Five was all we could muster out of three hundred . It was manifestly useless to attempt anything with so small a force , and no arguments could induce any of the others to turn out ; so the unhappy gentleman had the satisfaction of knowing that the brigands had punctually pillaged his place , carrying off all his live stock on the very day and at the very hour they said they would .