about nine o'clock
and he laughed merrily . ' `` I do n't quite see all the ways yet , Rube ; however , we shall see what sort of a place we are put in to-night , and can then come to some conclusion . There comes the sun . '' ` It was about nine o'clock when we rode into camp ; and as we approached it , we acknowledged that a better place against a sudden surprise could hardly have been chosen . The ground was flat for miles round ; but the site of the camp rose in a slight mound , of nearly circular form , and perhaps one hundred yards across ; the central part was thirty feet or so above the general level . Round this the band of El Zeres was encamped . Rube and I guessed them at four hundred strong .