twelve o'clock
If not , I must try and pick one up at one of the stations , as we go along . '' `` I have plenty of horses in the yard , '' the settler said . `` Well , let us be off as soon as possible , '' Reuben put in . `` It 's past twelve o'clock now , and we have thirty-five miles to ride , and to stop at two or three places , so we have n't a minute to lose . '' In a few minutes the horses were saddled , and the six men dashed off at full gallop . At three stations , which they passed on the way to Barker 's , they picked up seven more . There was but little delay as , the instant the news was told , the men hurried up , saddled their horses , and rode after the party , who pushed straight on when they had told their story .