noon
He liked to think that it was so , and he rejoiced also at this certain evidence that the little garrison was as dauntless as ever . He watched the Alamo for nearly an hour , and he saw that the firing was desultory . Not more than a dozen cannon shots were fired during that time , and only three or four rifles replied from the Alamo . Toward noon the firing ceased entirely , and Ned knew that this was in very fact and truth the lull before the storm . His attention wandered to his guards . They were mere peons , but , although watchful , they were taking their ease . Evidently they liked their task .