10 o'clock
I have been sent to bring my mother and sister out of the house , for the rustlers intend to attack you before morning . That means , too , that they intend to burn it . '' The three defenders who were in the secret saw the danger in which this placed Sterry 's intended flight . If the attack were made before 10 o'clock , there could be no possible opportunity for his getting away . Some means , therefore , must be found for deferring the assault until after that hour , if it could be accomplished without arousing the suspicions of the rustlers . `` Do you know , '' inquired Sterry , `` how soon it is contemplated making the attack ? '' `` I have not heard Inman or Cadmus say , but from the talk of the men I judge it will be quite soon . ''