nine o'clock
The boys wondered if dried meat and coarse cakes were part of an adventurous dream . The next morning chocolate was brought to the boys at half-past five , after which they dressed , and mounting the mustangs awaiting their pleasure in the courtyard , went off for a morning canter . At Roldan 's suggestion they reconnoitred the hills behind the Mission and got the bearings definitely shaped in their minds ; the great raid was to be at night . They returned to a big breakfast at nine o'clock , then rode out again to meet the expected guests . It was but a few moments before they saw several cavalcades approaching from as many different directions . The young men and women , in silken clothes of every hue , were on horses caparisoned with velvet , carved leather , and silver ; in many instances a girl had proud possession of the saddle , while her swain bestrode the anquera behind , his arm supporting her waist . Roldan wondered if anything would ever induce him to sacrifice his dignity like that .