Nine o'clock
`` From present signs , '' commented Private Bender , `` I 'm thinking that we 'll put in a large part of our two years in the field . These Moros are ugly and determined when they get started . '' `` They 're not bothering us much just now , '' replied Hal , as he started on his round of inspection . Nine o'clock came and passed . Not a shot had been fired since late in the afternoon . Nor had there been any sound to indicate that Kelly or Slosson had encountered trouble near the plantation . Now that he was in command , Overton did not allow himself to be lulled into indifference by the stillness of the dark night .