noon
Now , after a scant three days beyond Lough Corrib , he had twined his fate with that of other men , had set his heart upon winning Bertragh Castle , and had won both a stout friend and a stout enemy . For he counted O'Donnell as a foe , in which he was not far wrong . However , there was no time to be wasted , for fodder was exceeding scanty , and Brian himself had no heart for idleness . As he had resolved on his course during that return ride the night before , he gathered his men together and briefly ordered them to be ready to ride at noon , and to Cathbarr alone he outlined his plan . Then he picked two of the axmen who knew the country roundabout , and ten from among those O'Donnell had loaned him , and took them aside and told them of Turlough Wolf , who would come before long . `` You will bide here , '' he concluded , `` and bid him wait for me . I shall return this side of ten days .