9
o'clock
`` It 'll be so much better 'n walkin ' back 'n' forrard on the beats . Wonder ' f they 'll give us bosses or mules to ride . '' `` I 'd like to know what put that idee into yer head , '' said Shorty . `` Whyd n't the Ord ` ly say last night there 'd be guard-mountin ' at 9 o'clock this mornin ' ? I s ` posed that fer a man to be mounted meant straddlin ' a boss or s ` mother kind of an animal . '' `` Ai n't ye never goin ' to larn nuthin ' , '' said Shorty , with a laugh . `` Guard-mountin ' do n't mean fer the men to git on hosses .