eight o'clock
thundered Carmichael , as he had thundered in the dormitory at school , now after twenty years in the same good cause once more . `` Whether you like it or not , you fellows are going to back me up ! '' And Carmichael was a mighty man , whose influence was not to be withstood . A Duel in the Desert It was eight o'clock and Monday morning when the romantic rascals were led away in unromantic bonds . Their arms were bound to their bodies , their feet lashed to the stirrup-irons ; they sat like packs upon quiet station horses , carefully chosen for the nonce ; they were tethered to a mounted policeman apiece , each with leading-rein buckled to his left wrist and Government revolver in his right hand . Behind the quartette rode the officer in command , superbly mounted , watching ever all four with a third revolver ready cocked . It seemed a small and yet an ample escort for the two bound men .