two o'clock
All day he wondered if it might not be possible to reach Clarkeville again before the Cibola sailed . The next morning , spurred on by the hope that he might do this , he started at daybreak . By the middle of the morning he was on the old wagon trail and making better time . Some time after two o'clock he came up over the rise of the last foothills and saw , eight miles away , the glistening shape which he at once knew was the inflated balloon . He hesitated a moment and then , unhitching the horses , mounted one bareback and began a dash for the town . The animals were tired and worn , and progress was slow , but it beat walking , and Bob urged them on . As the young reporter came nearer and the balloon grew more distinct he knew that it would be a close call .