six o'clock
A messenger was despatched to the hills for assistance , and the march began . It was a tedious movement . Felix was wearied , and walked in a drowsy state . Towards six o'clock , as he guessed , the trees began to thin , and the column reached the first slopes of the hills . Here about thirty shepherds joined them , a contingent from the nearest camp . It was considered that the danger was now past , and that the gipsies would not attack them on the hill ; but it was a mistake . A large body almost immediately appeared , coming along the slope on the right , not less than two hundred ; and from their open movements and numbers it was evident that they intended battle .