three o'clock
`` Oh , Jim , you are a riddle ; you are not one , you are two men ; and they fight the whole time . But I know the wiser one is winning and I think the best friend you ever had was that big fellow that threatened you with the ` bone-rot ' if ever you broke your word . I believe in you more and more , '' and impulsively she laid her hand on his with a warmth that provoked such instant response that she smote her horse and swung away -- fearful of a situation for which she was not ready . At three o'clock , an officer from the Fort rode over to Red Cloud 's lodge and notified him that in one hour the race was to begin . The War-chief grunted . At four , the crowd was dense around the track , and the country near seemed quite deserted . Near the starting post , which was also the finish , were a huge crowd and a small army of mounted men .