noon
I heard , as they mounted , Houston say to them , ` Do your work , and come back like eagles , or you 'll be behind time for the fight . ' Then all was quiet for an hour or two . About the middle of the afternoon ; when Mexicans are usually sleeping or gambling , we got the order to ` stand ready . ' In a few moments the three men who had left us at noon returned . They were covered with foam and mire , and one of them was swinging an ax . As he came close to us he cried out , ` Vance 's Bridge is cut down ! Now fight for your wives and your lives , and remember the Alamo ! '