about one o'clock in the morning
The bull-train made perhaps six trips in as many months , and by that time the glasses at the fort could make out that Burnham 's place was all finished , but never once had either of the three proprietors put in an appearance , as invited , which was considered not only extraordinary but unneighborly , and everybody quit riding out there . '' `` But the funniest thing , '' said Wayne , `` happened one night when I was officer of the day . The road up-stream ran within a hundred yards of the post of the sentry on No. 3 , which post was back of the officer 's quarters , and a quarter of a mile above the stables , corrals , etc. . I was making the rounds about one o'clock in the morning . The night was bright and clear , though the moon was low , and I came upon Dexter , one of the sharpest men in my troop , as the sentry on No. 3 . After I had given him the countersign and was about going on , -- for there was no use in asking _ him _ if he knew his orders , -- he stopped me to ask if I had authorized the stable-sergeant to let out one of the ambulances within the hour . Of course I was amazed and said no .