twenty minutes to twelve o'clock
Ere many minutes the rumor was in every part of the town , and strong disappointment was felt , and expressed against him in several round oaths , by the multitude in general . His father , however , declared his conviction that his son would not shrink from what he had undertaken , and he who had not long before banished him for cowardice , now vouched for his courage . At the old man 's suggestion , his friends still adhered to their resolutions of walking to the scene of conflict in a body . At twenty minutes to twelve o'clock , the black flag was removed from the inn window , the muffled drums beat , and the music played the same dead march as on the days of uttering the challenge . In a few minutes the Dead Boxer , accompanied by some of the neighboring gentry , made his appearance , preceded by the flag . From another point , the faction of Lamb Laudher fluttering in blood-red ribbons , marched at a solemn pace towards the church-yard . On arriving opposite his aunt 's , his mother wept aloud , and with one voice all the females who accompanied her , raised the Irish funeral cry .