midnight
They passed Maidenhead Bridge in safety , but as soon as they crossed it , the vanguard of Henry 's army was visible . To the amazement of his colleagues , Aumerle , on whom they had counted as staunch and loyal , doffed his bonnet with a laugh , and , spurring forward , was received by the enemy as an expected ally . There could be no doubt now that he had betrayed his too trusting friends . Yet even then , the little band held the bridge till midnight . But by midnight all hope was over . There was left only one alternative -- flight or death . The loyal six set spurs to their horses ; and Surrey 's steed being fleetest , he soon outdistanced the others .