noon
They had had no food since the night before , nor a drink of water since daydawn . Joyful would it be to slaughter here the entire band and then rush back to the hoary old City of Peking with the triumphant message that the Allied Armies of the World had fallen before China . Then the death of every foreigner in the Empire would be certain . At noon the battle lines were formed . In the swinging into place as Thaine Aydelot stood beside Tasker , surrounded by his comrades , Little Kemper dashed by him . `` Here 's where the corn-fed Kansans do their work , '' he said gaily to the Kansas men . `` With a few bean-eaters from Boston to help , '' Goodrich responded .