nearly noon
But not a jot of vital information did they give , though they boasted in exaggerated terms of the strength of the commands to which they were attached , and told of countless armies on the way over to wipe the Huns from the face of the earth . At last the German officer , in a burst of rage , ordered the three prisoners taken away , and this was done with great roughness . This coupled with their terrible night and the mental and physical torture inflicted at the inquisition , made the young soldiers sick at heart and body . Once more they were thrust into their horrible prison , and not until nearly noon was any food given them . Then it was only some greasy , slimy water , probably intended for soup , together with some chunks of mouldy bread . `` But we 've got to eat it , boys ! '' said Jimmy .