three o'clock in the morning
Without any delay they proceeded to business . Mr. Bob Austin , better known as `` Texas , '' was elected boss of the round-up , and he immediately assigned the men to their places and announced that they would work Squaw Creek . They moved camp at once , Helen returning to the ranch . It was three o'clock in the morning when the men were roused by the cook 's triangle calling them to the `` chuck wagon '' for breakfast . It was still cold and dark as the boys crawled from under their blankets and squatted round the fire to eat jerky , biscuits and gravy , and to drink cupfuls of hot , black coffee . Before sun rose every man was at his post far up on the Squaw Creek ridges ready to begin the drive . Later in the day Helen rode to the parade grounds , toward which a stream of cattle was pouring down the canyon of the creek .