ten o'clock
I swallowed a cup of coffee , mounted a little buckskin , and went on , with Pochette 's assurance , `` Do n't be afraid to put heem through , '' ringing in my ears . I was not afraid to put him through . That last forty-eight miles I rode mercilessly -- for the demon of hurry was again urging me on . At ten o'clock I rolled stiffly off the buckskin at the Osage station , walked more stiffly into the office , and asked for a message . The operator handed me two , and looked at me with much curiosity -- but I suppose I was a sight . The first was to tell me that a special would be ready at ten-thirty , and that the road would be cleared for it . I had not thought about a special -- Osage being so far from Frisco ; but Crawford was a wonder , and he had a long arm .