nearly five o'clock
I asked . `` Wal , it mought be six mile ; it mought be seven , but you 've one or two all-fired ones to cross arter that . '' Here was a pleasant predicament . It was nearly five o'clock , and our horse , though a noble animal , could not make the distance on an unobstructed route , in the then heavy state of the roads , in less than three hours . Long before that time it would be dark , and no doubt stormy , for the sky , which had lowered all the afternoon , every now and then uttered an ominous growl , and seemed ready to fall down upon us . But turning back was out of the question , so , thanking the `` native , '' I was about to proceed , when he hailed me as follows : `` I say , stranger , what 's the talk in the city ? '' `` Nothing , sir , '' I replied , `` but fight and Secession . ''