eight o'clock
`` I suppose he will awaken the whole country with his brays , '' growled Hippy . `` There are mules and mules , '' observed Emma Dean . Hippy gave her a quick , keen glance , but her face was guileless . At eight o'clock the Overland Riders set out on their ponies , Washington Washington in the lead on his pack mule , industriously mouthing his harmonica , the girls laughing and chatting , Hippy silent , lost in contemplation of his own problems . `` Which way to the Coon Hollow schoolhouse ? '' called Grace as they passed a slowly walking couple a short distance beyond the Thompson home . `` Yer headin ' fer it , '' answered the man .