9 o'clock
Couriers rode to and fro between his headquarters in the custom house and the punitive expedition under Captain Ward Marston which was scouting the Santa Clara plains in search of the enemy . Even now the battle waged , no doubt , for Marston that morning reported a brush with the enemy , had asked for reinforcements . Hull had sent post haste a pack of ill assorted and undrilled adventurers from among the new arrivals . That was 9 o'clock and now the sun had passed its noon meridian -- with no courier . William Leidesdorff came strolling up , his expression placid , smiling as always . He was warm from toiling up the hill and paused , panting , hat in hand , to mop his brow with a large red ` kerchief . `` Ha !