the sun, about nine o'clock in the morning
answered Jacques slily . There seemed to be some little doubt about that , but finally our host , who had been scouring the village , returned in triumph with provisions for an ample meal . Awake soon after dawn , we fed the animals , broke our own fast , and , having settled the score , started off on the highroad to Poictiers . It was , by the position of the sun , about nine o'clock in the morning when we perceived a horseman approaching us . He appeared in a desperate hurry , and was spurring his horse vigorously . `` Jacques ! '' I exclaimed , `` this is a soldier of some sort .