eight o'clock
They did not draw rein until the ground became stony , and they knew that they must be at the mouth of the gorge . Then they dismounted and picketed the horses . Two of the Gauchos were stationed with them as guards , and the rest went stealthily forward -- the rockets being interested to the care of Terence , who fastened them tightly together with a cord , and then hung them by a loop , like a gun , over his shoulder , in order that he might have his hands free . It was still only eight o'clock -- dangerously early for a surprise ; but the whole party were quite agreed to risk everything , as no one could say in what position Ethel might be placed , and what difference an hour might make . Their plan was to steal quietly up to the first hut they found , to gag its inmates , and compel one of them , under a threat of instant death , to guide them to the hut in which Ethel was placed . Suddenly Mr. Hardy was startled by a dark figure rising from a rock against which he had almost stumbled , with the words : `` White man good . Tawaina friend .