midnight
This sacred sign borne at the head of the army shall deliver the Christians and pierce the heart of the infidels . '' All the army believed in this vision , and after three solemn days of fasting and praying , Bartholomew , in the presence of twelve priests and knights , directed the workmen where to dig beneath the altar of the church . All day the digging went on , while the great crowd outside waited in silent impatience . At midnight , Bartholomew threw himself into the hole , and soon reappeared , bearing a spear-head in his hand . The joy of all was frantic , for they firmly believed that this holy relic would insure them a victory . Famine and fear were forgotten ! All demanded to be led at once against the enemy .