about nine o'clock
This took more time , and night overtook the outfit with several miles between them and the tank wagon that awaited their coming on the desert . Hour after hour they plodded along , not daring to camp until they had water . There was no moon , and as the desert road was little more than a trail Heine Schultz let his team tag Keddie 's and walked ahead with a lantern to guide the lead skinner . Thirsty and hungry and weary , they reached the tank about nine o'clock . Then came a hearty curse from the man with the lantern , followed by : `` Lord , be merciful unto me , a skinner ! The tank 's empty , Jo ! '' The party descended hurriedly and crowded about him .