nine
o'clock
She therefore quietly went on with her preparations for dinner without concerning herself as to the details of the affair . As soon as it was dark and the meal eaten , the tents were struck , the baggage all rolled up and packed on the animals , and the fireworks divided . When everything was in readiness they went together and made a breach in the breast-work wide enough for the mules to pass . At nine o'clock Maria was seated in the carrying-chair , and strapped on to her husband 's back ; then four brands were taken from the fire and the party started . When within fifty yards of the lower end of the ravine José went forward , and , returning in a few minutes , reported that no savages were on guard . A fire was burning outside the mouth of the ravine where he had seen them on the evening before , and from the reflection on the rock he believed that another fire was alight inside . His report caused a general feeling of relief , for their great fear had been that the natives might have made off before their arrival .