eight o'clock
The bright and silken flag , worked by the hands of Mrs. Ronayne , had been hoisted by Corporal Nixon 's own hands , for he knew that not a man of the garrison would look upon it without vividly interesting himself in the fate of her who had worked it , and desiring to be a volunteer of the party he fully expected would be sent out that morning to attempt her rescue . Already had he decided on five of the number who , besides himself , would be selected by Ronayne on the occasion , and these were Collins , Phillips , Weston , Green , and Watson . He knew that an early parade had been ordered by Captain Headley , and as this was a rare occurrence , he could assign no other cause for it than the desire the commanding officer entertained to send off the little expedition as speedily as possible . Precisely at eight o'clock the roll of the drum brought forth from their respective barrack rooms some sixty men , composing the strength of the little fort , with the exception of the invalids and convalescents , some fifteen in number . But even of these , such as could find strength to drag themselves , came forth and lingered in the rear of the slowly forming little line , while women and children gathered in groups near the guard-house , anxious to see who would be the fortunate ones selected for the recovery of the much-loved wife of their favorite . A few moments later , and the officers were seen approaching from their several quarters to join the parade . Captain Headley , dressed in his newest uniform , was the first on the ground ; then came the Doctor , then Elmsley , for , on that occasion , the guard at the gate had been left without an officer ; and lastly , much to the surprise of all , Ronayne .