four in the
afternoon
The Indians stood their ground , fitting their arrows with swift dexterity , encouraged by Anastacio , who glided from point to point like a hungry cobra , discharging two arrows to every man 's one . His only hope was to keep the Californians at long range until losses compelled the latter to retreat : at close quarters arrows would be no match for firearms . The battle began at five in the morning . It was at four in the afternoon that Roldan passed his hand across his burning eyeballs , then gripped Adan 's arm and said through his teeth , -- `` Anastacio is hit . I saw him shake from head to foot . '' `` Madre de dios ! Shall we run ? ''