noon
The hawks were numerous and the woods close to the quarters . Few chickens were lost by hawks . The martins circled the skies in battalions , watching , chattering , guarding , basking in the southern sun . At noon the assembly bell rang at the end of the Broadway of the quarters . From every cottage , from field and stable , blacksmith shop , carpenter 's shop , the house of the spinners , the weavers , the dairy , the negroes poured toward the shed beside the bell tower . `` What is it ? '' Phil asked of Custis .