twelve o'clock
`` Jeb , if you would ! It will be a great relief to know you are driving -- you are such a wizard with a four-in-hand , '' exclaimed John , smiling suddenly at Jeb . `` Wha -- Ah hed no idee you-all diden know Ah was goin ' t ' do th ' drivin ' , '' returned Jeb , surprised at the others for their lack of comprehension . It was twelve o'clock that night when all was ready and the great wagon lumbered past the ranch-house . The women were all grouped on the porch , silently praying for the safe transportation of the unfortunate schemers from New York . `` Ah do n't suppose we will really know why these men came West until Latimer or Evans gets here to explain , '' said Mr. Brewster , as the remaining members of the family went indoors . `` Did n't you look through the papers in that leather bag ? ''