ten o'clock
On the procession moved , with gay flags and flashing banners . The dust rolled up , the cattle stared across the fences , the colts ran snorting away , tails waving like flags , and unlucky toilers in the fields stopped to wave their hats and gaze wistfully till the caravan passed . The men shouted jovial words to them , and the boys waved their hats in ready sympathy . At ten o'clock they entered the magnificent grove of oaks , where a speaker 's stand had been erected , and where enterprising salesmen from Rock River had erected soda water and candy stands , with an eye to business . There was already a stupendous crowd , at least so it seemed to the farmers ' boys . Two or three bands were whanging away somewhere in the grove ; children were shouting and laughing , and boys were racing to and fro , playing ball or wrestling ; babies were screaming , and the marshals were shouting directions to the entering teams , in voices that rang through the vaulted foliage with thrilling effect , and the harsh bray of the ice cream and candy sellers completed the confusion . Bradley 's skill as a horseman came out as he swung into the narrow winding road which led through threatening stumps into the heart of the wood past the speaker 's stand .