three o'clock
I laughed grimly as I leaned slightly back in saddle and listened ; it was like a play , so swift and exciting had been the passing events , so unexpected their ending . I wondered what plausible story the discomfited lieutenant would concoct to account for his predicament , and whether the others had yet missed me back at the Mansion House . The stars appeared to be paling somewhat down in the east , for the coming day-dawn was already whitening the horizon . I glanced at my watch , venturing to strike a match for the purpose , and found the hour after three o'clock . Early , I knew , was at Sowder Church , and his advance cavalry pickets ought to be as far west as the Warrentown road . The distance between , by hard riding , might be covered in three hours . My horse seemed fresh , his breath came naturally and without effort , and I pressed him along rapidly , for my whole ambition now centred upon bringing the information I possessed within our own lines .