About nine o'clock
When Life Knox left his bed at an early hour on the morning of the 18th , Deck was still sleeping , for no bugle had sounded to wake him . The rain was still pouring in torrents when the sergeant looked out of the window ; and it was not probable that any military movements would be made that day . Breakfast was served as usual , the cooks having taken possession of an old tobacco dry-house the night before . About nine o'clock , after Deck had gone to the hotel where the officers were quartered , Butters , Lieutenant Ripley , and about twenty more , marched into the jail . The keeper had been riding nearly all night , and had secured this number of riflemen , though he had been obliged to seek them , in part , miles distant from the town . They came with rifles and belts , with powder and ball in horns and pouches , as those from Millersville had appeared . They were ready for duty , and Butters declared that every one of them could shoot very well with the rifles they had used in their practice .