ten o'clock
It was a good half-hour before the Rovers reached the outskirts of Columbina . At a great distance they could see many twinkling electric lights , one of which hung on the top of every oil derrick . But these were so far off they did nothing towards illuminating the way . `` Almost ten o'clock , '' announced Jack , consulting his watch . `` About all we can do is to clean the mud from our shoes and go to bed . '' There was a sleepy young clerk behind the counter of the hotel , and he showed them where they could clean up . `` No bootblacks in Columbina , '' said Randy , with a grin .