ten o'clock
It was surprising to all how soon the defenders lost their gun-shyness . The very school-boys and their sisters went calmly about their business , with cannon and musket balls whistling overhead , striking the walls and windows , or , on rare occasions , dropping some rifleman who was over-rash as he worked or walked on the ramparts . There were big things doing in the British camp -- regiments marching and taking their places -- storms of rifle and cannon balls raging fiercely . By ten o'clock there was a lull . The Americans , from the grandfathers to the school-boys , were posted , each with his rifle and his pouch full of balls ; there were pale faces among the youngsters , and nervous fingers , but there was no giving way . Many a man there was , no doubt , who , under the impulse of patriotism , rushed with his gun to join the ranks , and when the bloody front was reached , he wished in his heart he was safe at home . But they did not go .