nine
o'clock
Presently Mr. Hardy joined again in the general conversation , and then , during a pause , said , ` Although , my friends , I consider it most improbable that any Indians are in the neighbourhood , still it is just possible that they may have remained , on purpose to fall at night upon any party who might venture to pursue . At any rate , it is right to begin our work in a business-like way . I therefore propose that we keep watches regularly . It is now nine o'clock . We shall be moving by five : that will make four watches of two hours each . I should say that three men in a watch , stationed at fifty yards from the camp upon different sides , would suffice . ' There was a general assent to the proposal .