eight o'clock
`` Then he wilted and inquired , ` Do you think I can cross if it swims them any ? ' '' ` I 'm not doing your thinking , sir , ' I answered , ` but I 'll bring up eight or nine good men and help you rather than make a six-mile elbow . ' I said this with some spirit and gave him a mean look . '' ` All right , ' said he , ` bring up your boys , say eight o'clock , and we will try the ford . Let me add right here , ' he continued , ` and I 'm a stranger to you , young man , but my outfit do n't take anybody 's slack , and as I am older than you , let me give you this little bit of advice : when you bring your men here in the morning , do n't let them whirl too big a loop , or drag their ropes looking for trouble , for I 've got fellows with me that do n't turn out of the trail for anybody . ' '' ` All right , sir , ' I said . ` Really , I 'm glad to hear that you have some good men , still I 'm pained to find them on the wrong side of the river for travelers .