about midnight
Phil described his captor as a man with a scar on his temple and having a red beard . Shortly after sunrise they came upon a flock of sheep , and soon after they were at the house of a rancher , where the boys told their story . The owner of the ranch knew Mr. Simms well , and besides providing Phil with a pony , sent one of his own men to pilot the boys home . They rode into the Simms camp about midnight , rousing the camp with their shouts . And the jollification that followed the safe return of Phil and his rescuer did the hearts of both boys good . There was no sleep in the Simms outfit that night . Tad and Phil were obliged to tell the story of their experiences over and over again , while the other boys listened in wide-eyed wonder .