about four o'clock
An English officer , a Captain Brown , to whom I was paying a visit , and who was unwell at the time , begged that I would go instead of him , as I might be amused -- the Pastucians having the credit of being a set of rough diamonds . The next day about a dozen of us set out for the Pastucian lines , two leagues off -- Captain Pinson , the commander of the company , being our leader . We were all in good spirits , laughing and joking , and expecting to be highly amused by our hosts . I promised to give Captain Brown an account of the party ; but thinking it probable that there would be more drinking after dinner than I should like , I had arranged to ride back alone , and ordered my servant Antonio , who followed us , to have my horse in readiness at about four o'clock . The dinner-hour was to be two o'clock . The Pastucian officers , who were more than treble our number , received us with every mark of courtesy , though a less attractive set of gentlemen I had never met . Indeed , they greatly resembled a party of banditti .