ten o'clock
At last the rock was reached , Ned and Nellie shouting with delight over the wonderful cave and speedily making themselves at home in its inmost recesses , Kate breathless and exhausted and bemoaning the fates that brought her on such an uncanny trip . The blankets were spread out on the smooth surface of the rock within the great , gloomy hollow . Jim was sent down for another load while Pike clambered up to his watch-tower and took a long look with his glass . The Indians had not yet reached the rise from which he had counted their numbers at ten o'clock . In an hour more all the provisions they could need for several days , more blankets and pillows , all the arms and ammunition , all the harness and horse equipments had been lugged up to and safely stowed in and about the cave . `` They 'll burn the wagons , blast them ! '' muttered Pike to himself , `` but we can leave the horses there .