about half after eight o'clock
Some of the young Ogallallas had quick , active beasts , but , take them on a straight-away run , I would n't be afraid to try my luck with Buford against the best of them . '' `` Well , I hope you 'll never have to ride for your life on him . He 's pretty and sound and fast , but those Indians have such wind and bottom ; they never seem to give out . '' A little later -- at about half after eight o'clock -- Sergeant Wells , the telegraph operator , and one or two of the ranchmen sat tilted back in their rough chairs on the front porch of the station enjoying their pipes . Ralph had begun to feel a little sleepy , and was ready to turn in when he was attracted by the conversation between the two soldiers ; the operator was speaking , and the seriousness of his tone caused the boy to listen . `` It is n't that we have any particular cause to worry just here . With our six or seven men we could easily stand off the Indians until help came , but it 's Farron and little Jessie I 'm thinking of .