about ten o'clock
The result was , that our friends arrived within one day 's march of their journey 's end with just as many cattle as they had when they left the Staked Plains . Although Mr. Wentworth had been `` completely cleaned out , '' he was still worth something like twenty thousand dollars . George and his party made their last camp a short distance from the cabin of a squatter , who rode over to see them during the evening . He went home about ten o'clock , and George and his companions lay down on their blankets , leaving the herd to the care of four mounted troopers . The latter , who during the journey had exhibited the greatest eagerness to learn something of the mysteries of cattle-herding , had so far progressed in knowledge and skill as to be able to stand guard at night , and to give George and Mr. Wentworth an opportunity to obtain the rest of which they began to stand so much in need . About midnight George mounted his horse and rode around the herd to assure himself that everything was just as it should be . He went on horseback , because everybody rides while working about Texas cattle .