about six o'clock
Both felt that no time should be lost in finding the sheriff and setting the machinery of the law in motion . Moreover , they were down to the last scrap of food and unless they stirred themselves they were likely to go hungry that night . An hour later found them riding southward , following the route through the mountains used by the cattle-rustlers . Making the same cautious circuit Buck had taken around the southern end of the Shoe-Bar , they reached Rocking-R land without adventure and pulled up before the door of Red Butte camp about six o'clock . Gabby Smith was cooking supper and greeted them with his customary lack of enthusiasm . Bud , who had never seen him before , was much diverted by his manner , and during the meal kept up a constant chatter of comment and question for the purpose , as he afterward confessed , of making the taciturn puncher go the limit in the matter of loquacity . His effort , though it could scarcely be termed successful , evidently got on Gabby 's nerves , for afterward he turned both men out of the cabin while he cleared up , a process lasting until nearly bedtime .