two o'clock
The engineer , let it be said , did not hear this statement , and the aid was very careful not to make it in his presence . He was a comparative stranger and as no one presumed to question him , he volunteered no information . Planning to bivouac until dawn of the next day at Folsom 's , Dean had then intended to reach Fort Emory in three easy marches . He was anxious to bring his horses in in best possible condition , despite all their hard service ; yet now , barely two o'clock on this hot June afternoon , came most unlooked-for , most importunate interruption to his plans . Springing to the gate at the sergeant 's summons , he first directed his gaze to the distant peak , recognized instantly the nature of the smoke puffs there rising , then turned for explanation to the swift-riding courier , whose horse 's heels were making the dust fly from the sun-dried soil . One or two ranch hands , with anxious faces , came hastening over from the corral . The darkey cook rushed up from the kitchen , rifle in hand .