noon
We of the Blue Mountains do not lag when our foes are in front of us ; most of all do we of the Eastern Church press on when the Crescent wars against the Cross ! We took with us no gear or hamper of any kind ; no coverings except what we stood in ; no food -- nothing but our handjars and our rifles , with a sufficiency of ammunition . Before starting , the Gospodar gave hurried orders by signal from the Castle to have food and ammunition sent to us -LRB- as we might signal -RRB- by the nearest hamlet . It was high noon when we started , only ten strong -- for our leader would take none but approved runners who could shoot straight and use the handjar as it should be used . So as we went light , we expected to go fast . By this time we knew from the reports signalled to Vissarion that the enemies were chosen men of no despicable prowess . The Keeper of the Green Flag of Islam is well served , and as though the Turk is an infidel and a dog , he is sometimes brave and strong .