four minutes to twelve
he cried to Hal . Hal dashed after his friend . Neither heeded the frantic cries of the sergeant , who called on them to halt . It was now four minutes to twelve , but in less than that time the lads , Chester in the lead , came upon the scene of the execution . Their eyes took in the situation at one brief glance , and Chester hurled himself forward . Standing firmly erect , with his face to the west , was Captain Eberhardt . Facing him , with grounded rifles , were six soldiers .