about seven
o'clock in the morning
At Flushing we were told that there has been a dreadful visitation in this land , and death may not have spared even one so young and fair . '' `` Let us haste on father , '' replied Philip ; `` what you say is true , and suspense becomes most dreadful . '' Philip increased his speed , leaving the old man to follow him : he arrived at the bridge with its wooden gate . It was then about seven o'clock in the morning , for they had crossed the Scheldt at the dawn of day . Philip observed that the lower shutters were still closed . `` They might have been up and stirring before this , '' thought he , as he put his hand to the latch of the door . It was not fastened .