noon
A month 's pay with either of you I reach the stockade first . '' `` Doone , Meeddlemore , doone , '' eagerly replied Cranstoun , and they joined hands in confirmation of the bet . This conversation had taken place during the intervals occupied by the movements of the right and centre columns along the skirt of the wood , to equidistant points in the half circle embraced in the plan of attack . A single blast of the bugle now announced that the furthermost had reached its place of destination , when suddenly a gun -- the first fired since noon from the English batteries -- gave the signal for which all were now prepared . In the next minute the heads of the several columns debouched from the wood , and , the whole advancing in double quick time , with their arms at the trail , moved across the meadow in the several directions assigned them . The space to be traversed by Captain Cranstoun 's division was considerably the shortest of the three ; but , on the other hand , he was opposed to that part of the enemy 's defences where there was the least cover afforded to an assailing force . Meanwhile there was an utter repose in the fort ; which for some moments induced the belief that the Americans were preparing to surrender their trust without a struggle , and loud yells from the Indians , who , from their cover in the rear , watched the progress of the troops with admiration and surprise , were pealed forth as if in encouragement to the latter to proceed .