six o'clock
In the presence of so large a number of troops , with scarcely any training and discipline , and with the excitement that would have been caused by the defeat of Leigonyer , and the prospect of an attack by the Vendeans , Leigh felt confident that three country lads ran no risk of being questioned . However , he took the precaution of learning the name of the village he passed through , six miles from the town ; so that if any one should happen to ask where they came from , and what they were doing , he could give the name of a village , and say that they had merely come in from curiosity , hearing that there was likely to be a battle . Assuredly many country people would be coming for the same purpose . They entered the town at six o'clock . It was already astir . The citizens , with anxious faces , were talking together in little groups . Soldiers were loitering about in the streets , totally regardless of the bugles and drums that were sounding in the marketplace , and at various points outside the town .