three o'clock
`` We will head them off at Merriam 's Corner , '' said Colonel Barrett . The planks which the British had removed from the bridge were quickly replaced . The minute-men crossed the stream , turned into a field to the left , and hastened over the meadow to the road leading to Bedford . It was past three o'clock when they reached Mr. Merriam 's house . Roger saw the British marching down the road . Suddenly a platoon wheeled towards the minute-men and brought their guns to a level . There was a flash , a white cloud , and bullets whistled over their heads .