midnight
`` Castro , '' said I , `` we carry bad news , and bad news flies apace . Let us keep up the reputation of the old proverb . Half an hour or so may make all the difference in the world . '' He made a grimace as if to say that a few minutes more or less would matter little ; but he saddled his horse promptly , nevertheless , and was ready to start as soon as I. `` I reckon , '' he said , `` that we may strike the road from Tacna to Arica by midnight to-morrow , unless our animals founder by the way . Can you trust your horse ? '' `` The colonel selected him . '' `` That ought to be sufficient warrant .