An hour before noon
More trees fell fast , and they were added to the formidable works . The sun grew hotter and poured down sheaves of fiery rays , but the toilers disregarded it , swinging the axes with muscles that took no note of weariness . Robert thought the morning would last forever . An hour before noon De Galissonnière was passing , and , noticing him sitting on a low mound , he said : `` I did not know what had become of you , Mr. Lennox , but I see that you , like ourselves , await the battle . '' `` So I do , '' said Robert as lightly as he could , `` but it seems to me that it 's somewhat delayed . '' `` Not our fault , I assure you . Perhaps you did n't think so earlier , but you see we 're willing to fight , no matter how great the odds . ''