three o'clock before
Briefly I may state , however , that after Jovita had been handed over to a sleepy ostler , whom she at once kicked into unpleasant consciousness , Dick sallied out with the bar-keeper for a tour of the sleeping town . Lights still gleamed from a few saloons and gambling-houses ; but , avoiding these , they stopped before several closed shops , and by persistent tapping and judicious outcry roused the proprietors from their beds , and made them unbar the doors of their magazines and expose their wares . Sometimes they were met by curses , but oftener by interest and some concern in their needs , and the interview was invariably concluded by a drink . It was three o'clock before this pleasantry was given over , and with a small waterproof bag of india-rubber strapped on his shoulders Dick returned to the hotel . But here he was waylaid by Beauty , -- Beauty opulent in charms , affluent in dress , persuasive in speech , and Spanish in accent ! In vain she repeated the invitation in `` Excelsior , '' happily scorned by all Alpine-climbing youth , and rejected by this child of the Sierras , -- a rejection softened in this instance by a laugh and his last gold coin . And then he sprang to the saddle and dashed down the lonely street and out into the lonelier plain , where presently the lights , the black line of houses , the spires , and the flagstaff sank into the earth behind him again and were lost in the distance .