midnight
When Shorty separated from Doble in Frio Cañon he rode inconspicuously to a tendejon where he could be snugly hidden from the public gaze and yet meet a few `` pals '' whom he could trust at least as long as he could keep his eyes on them . His intention was to have a good time in the only way he knew how . Another purpose was coupled with this ; he was not going to drink enough to interfere with reasonable caution . Shorty 's dissipated pleasures were interfered with shortly after midnight . A Mexican came in to the drinking-place with news . The world was on fire , at least that part of it which interested the cattlemen of the Malapi district . The blaze had started back of Bear Cañon and had been swept by the wind across to Cattle and San Jacinto .