three
o'clock
The servants are all going , and I 'll go with them disguised in a turban . '' As the men neared Valencia , Clay turned in his saddle , and asked Langham if he thought his sister would really venture into the town . `` She 'd better not let me catch her , if she does , '' the fond brother replied . The reviewing party left the Government Palace for the Alameda at three o'clock , President Alvarez riding on horseback in advance , and Madame Alvarez sitting in the State carriage with one of her attendants , and with Stuart 's troopers gathered so closely about her that the men 's boots scraped against the wheels , and their numbers hid her almost entirely from sight . The great square in which the evolutions were to take place was lined on its four sides by the carriages of the wealthy Olanchoans , except at the two gates , where there was a wide space left open to admit the soldiers . The branches of the trees on the edges of the bare parade ground were black with men and boys , and the balconies and roofs of the houses that faced it were gay with streamers and flags , and alive with women wrapped for the occasion in their colored shawls . Seated on the grass between the carriages , or surging up and down behind them , were thousands of people , each hurrying to gain a better place of vantage , or striving to hold the one he had , and forming a restless , turbulent audience in which all individual cries were lost in a great murmur of laughter , and calls , and cheers .