about ten
o'clock
When we were catching up our horses next morning for the day , I ordered two of my lads on herd , which was a surprise to them , as they were both handy with a gun . I explained it to them all , -- that we wished to avoid trouble , but if it came up unavoidable , to overlook no bets -- to copper every play as it fell . `` We got to the river too early to suit Chisholm 's boss-man . He seemed to think that his cattle would take the water better about ten o'clock . To kill time my boys rode across and back several times to see what the water was like . ` Well , any one that would let as little swimming water as that stop them must be a heap sight sorry outfit , ' remarked one-eyed Jim Reed , as he rode out of the river , dismounting to set his saddle forward and tighten his cinches , not noticing that this foreman heard him . I rode around and gave him a look , and he looked up at me and muttered , ` Scuse me , boss , I plumb forgot ! '