two o'clock
One of the boys had put me wise , and I broke through the crowd and called a halt in the proceedings . '' ` Ladies and gentlemen , ' says I , ` I did n't believe that a man existed who was foolhardy enough to be tempted to certain death by the lure of a paltry five hundred dollars . But although this man is so reckless of his own life , I must insist that he get a permit from the mayor , relieving us from all responsibility , before we allow him to be torn limb from limb . Return to-morrow at two o'clock , and if this man 's courage still keeps up , you will see before your shuddering eyes an encounter which will make the historical gladiatorial combats of ancient Rome pale into insignificance . ' I could sling a few language myself , those days , and the mayor was a friend of mine -- or I thought he was -- so I figured we could catch the suckers for an admission and then call it off , because he would refuse a permit . -LSB- Illustration : _ `` Blank cartridges fired in his face . '' _ -RSB- `` But he was onto the game and he was one of those blame fools who thought he had a sense of humor , so he gives him a document with a big red seal on it which looks like a doctor 's diploma , which says that Thomas Jefferson is allowed to go in and win our five hundred , and the next day the coon shows up smiling and ready , and I knew we had to make good somehow .