seventeen minutes after eight
In about forty minutes we had arrived , at the bayou , and I called a private soldier who used to do logging in the woods , and we looked the thing over . The timber necessary was right on the bank of the stream . `` Jim , '' I said to the private , `` I have got to build a bridge across this stream strong enough to cross artillery . I shall report to the general that he can send , along his artillery at seventeen minutes after eight o clock this evening . Am I right ? '' `` Well , '' said Jim , as he looked at the standing timber , at the stream , and spit some black tobacco juice down on the red ground , `` I should make it thirty-seven minutes after eight . You see , a shell may drop in here and kill a mule , or something , and delay us .