ten o'clock
He was sure it could be nothing else when the corporal reported something in sight , and so when he discovered the approaching party to be Apaches no words could describe the measure of his disappointment and dismay . Not for himself and his men ; they were old hands and had a fine position to defend . His thoughts are all for those in whose behalf he has already made such gallant fight and for poor Wing , whose feeble moaning every now and then reaches his ear . At ten o'clock he is able through his glasses to distinctly make out the number and character of the coming party . Nine Apaches , all warriors , but one of them apparently wounded or disabled , for they have to support him on the horse , and this it is that hampers their advance and makes it slower . They are heading for the oasis at the mouth of the cañon . There they will leave their horses and their wounded , and then come creeping up the winding gorge or crouching among the bowlders from the east to join in the attack on the hated pale-face .