about three o’clock in the afternoon
Fortunately the temperature of the rooms had now become more bearable , and in the morning Mrs Joliffe served up a breakfast of hot meat and tea . Hot grog was served out , and the brave Sergeant was able to take his share . The heat from the stoves warmed the bodies and reanimated the drooping courage of the poor colonists , who were now ready to attack the bears at a word from Hobson . But the Lieutenant , thinking the forces unequally matched , would not risk the attempt ; and it appeared likely that the day would pass without any incident worthy of note , when at about three o'clock in the afternoon a great noise was heard on the top of the house . `` There they are ! '' cried two or three soldiers , hastily arming themselves with hatchets and pistols . It was evident that the bears had torn away one of the rafters of the roof , and got into the loft .