three in the
afternoon
The chief nodded , after Lisle had repeated the sentence in a dozen different ways . He at once ordered the men to bring up ropes , and to soak them with oil ; and then in a low voice , so that the assailants should not hear , repeated the order to the men in the other houses . The ropes were cut up into lengths of three feet , and then there was nothing to do but to wait . The attack had begun at three in the afternoon , and by six it was quite dark . A loud yell gave the signal , and the enemy rushed through the hedge and surrounded the three houses . All had walls round them and , while the assailants battered at the doors , which had been backed up with earth and stones , the defenders lighted their torches and thrust them out , through loopholes in the upper stories , and then retired again to the ground floor . The doors soon gave way to the attacks upon them , and the assailants rushed in , in a crowd .