midnight
They have not been ridden and , having had three or four days ' rest , are comparatively fresh . The fellow has had only one day 's start and , if I push straight on , I may be there before him . '' Reuben briefly bade adieu to his friends , while Jim was transferring the saddles to two of the bush rangers ' horses and , leading two others , they started together in darkness . Changing saddles every ten miles , they rode on till past midnight , when they halted ; for the horses , accustomed as they were to long journeys , were now completely broken down , and Jim and his master could scarce keep their seats . `` Too much long , '' Jim said , as he threw himself down , after taking off the saddles and hobbling the horses ; `` too much long , sah . '' `` It is long , Jim , '' Reuben replied . `` People in England would hardly believe horses could go a hundred miles in a day , even if led a part of the distance .