three in the
morning
The four friends were riding light ; but each carried a canteen at the saddle horn , and a rifle . They rode quietly out through the southern end of the town , Joe Benavides leading the way . They followed a trail through Robles ' Pass and westward through the Altar Valley . They watered at the R E Ranch at three in the morning , waking Barnaby Robles ; him they bound to silence ; and there they let their horses rest and eat of the R E corn while they prepared a hasty breakfast . Then they pushed on , to waste no brief coolness of the morning hours . Pete kept word and spirit of his promise to Dewing ; not until day was broad in the sky did he tell Stanley of Dewing 's disclosure , tidings that displeased Stanley not at all . It was a gay party on that bright desert morning , though the way led through a dismal country of giant cactus , cholla and mesquite .