the hour of four
We went to bed early , leaving Smith to wake us at a suitable hour in the morning , which he promised to do , as he declared he felt too nervous to sleep . Sure enough , daylight was just stealing along the eastern horizon when we were called and found a steaming pot of hot coffee upon the table , which the careful stockman had prepared for us previous to our leaving for the field . We drank our coffee in solemn silence , and then started for the rendezvous , Smith carrying the rifles and ammunition , and uttering comments at every step at the folly of our proceedings . Just as we locked the door , the old cracked bell upon the church , near the villa of our friend , struck the hour of four . Finding that we had plenty of time , we walked along quite leisurely , meeting only a few people , and those longshoremen , who were hurrying to their work on the quays , and fearful of being late . No one paid any attention to us , for the carrying of arms in Melbourne was common in those days ; and so without remark we gained the crossing , and then continuing on for a short distance , entered an open space , far enough from the road to escape observation , and there awaited our adversaries . We did not have to wait long .