about three o'clock
The crowded state of the Nest was such , as to render it no easy matter to find a place in which to sleep , straw being our only beds . At length we found our pallets , such as they were ; and , spite of all that had passed that evening , truth compels me to admit that I was soon in a profound sleep . There was no exception to this rule among the Mooseridge party , I believe , fatigue proving to to be more powerful , than either successful love , unsuccessful love , or personal apprehension . It was about three o'clock , when I felt a significant pressure of the arm , such as one gives when he especially wishes to attract attention . It was Jason Newcome , employed in awakening the men of the house , without giving such an alarm as might reach the ears without . In a few minutes everybody was up and armed . As the morning , just before the appearance of light , when sleep is heaviest , is the hour when savages usually attack , no one was surprised at these preparations , which were understood to be ordered by Herman Mordaunt , who was a-foot , and on the look-out himself , at a place favourable to observation .