Three o'clock
`` They are all in such strength as can be looked for , mother dear , and will hold out as well as any . '' And Priscilla wanly smiled in the poor pinched face , adjusted the cushions and the foot-rest , and without so much as a drop of cold water for herself , wearily climbed the hill . The captain making room for her to pass looked with anxious sympathy into her face , but spake no word , and again the withering hours passed on , and the elder prayed in a husky and broken whisper , and his hearers muttered an Amen , hollow and mournful as the echo from an open tomb . Three o'clock , and Hobomok scrambled down from the roof , and stood in the open doorway . His master saw and went out to him . In a moment he came again , and passing between the banks of rude benches stood before the elder , who , pausing suddenly , fixed upon him a gaze of piteous inquiry , while a little movement among the hundred starving souls watching and praying heralded his news . `` The answer has come , Elder , '' announced the soldier briefly .