four o'clock
That old man will be sure to halt us . '' `` We can get around the old man somehow , '' said Songbird . `` As soon as we spot him , we can make a detour . '' By four o'clock , they were on the way . Not to excite suspicions on the part of any of Sack Todd 's friends who might happen to be around , they left Caville by a side trail and then took to the back road after the last of the houses of the town had been passed . `` I 'd just like a long ride over the prairie , '' cried Sam . `` I know I 'd enjoy every minute of it . ''