about four in the
afternoon
At length their worst fears were realized . At the place where the fight had occurred they were stopped and dragged from their carriage . The brigands were savage at not getting any plunder , and swore they would hold them prisoners till they procured a ransom , which they fixed at three thousand piastres . This was about four in the afternoon . They overturned the coach , kindled a fire , and waited for the diligence . They knew the rest . Buttons , seated next to Ida Francia , forgot his sufferings .