ten o'clock
`` I do n't know of anything to do but to wait here until we hear from Benson and Hank Leeson , '' answered his cousin . Breakfast was soon disposed of , and then they sat down to wait , still keeping their firearms close to hand , in case of unexpected attack . The meeting with the desperadoes had opened the boys ' eyes , and they did not intend to be caught `` napping '' no matter what else happened . Shortly before ten o'clock Joe espied three horsemen coming down the trail which led to the fort . Both watched the approaching riders with interest , and presently saw that they were soldiers . One wore the uniform of a lieutenant , and the others were privates . `` You are from the fort ? ''