half after seven
The others , farther to the east , were slipping back as fast as they could , but studiously keeping out of sight of those death-dealing loopholes . Presently it was apparent to the corporal that a number of them had got together far down the hill and were holding excited controversy , probably as to the best means of getting possession of their dead friends and then , their living enemies . Pike looked at his watch . It was half after seven and they had been fighting an hour . And now came a lull . Once in a long while some one of the besiegers would let drive a bullet at the loopholes , but Apache shooting was never of the best and though the lead spattered dangerously near , `` the miss , '' quoth Pike , `` is as good as any number of miles . '' On the other hand , whenever or wherever an Indian head , leg or arm appeared , it was instantly saluted by one , sometimes two , quick shots , and there could be no doubt whatever that the palefaces , as the Tontos supposed them all to be , were fully on the alert .