noon
But he feared that the Romans might form paths by throwing down faggots , and so gain the island at some undefended point . Until noon he saw nothing to justify his anxiety ; everything seemed still in the swamp . But he knew that this silence was deceptive , and the canopy of marsh loving trees completely hid the bushes and undergrowth from his sight . It was just noon when a Roman trumpet sounded , and at once at six different points a line of Roman soldiers issued from the bushes . Beric raised his horn to his lips and blew the signal for retreat . At its sound the defenders of the three lower intrenchments instantly left their posts and dashed at full speed up the hill , gaining it long before the Romans , who , as they issued out , formed up in order to repel any attack that might be made upon them . `` So they have made paths across the swamp , '' Aska said bitterly , as he joined Beric .