three o'clock
There was that hungry , half-starved look about me , too , that vouched my temper would not be of the sweetest ; and he eyed me with the glance of a connoisseur . At last Mijo -- for such was he called -- made the proposal to me in all form , explaining that my predecessor had had his rations allowed him like a colonist , and was entitled to sleep under cover at the house of his former mistress , La Senhora Dias , `` who , '' he added , with a sly wink , `` was my countrywoman . '' Well knowing a Mexican never boggles at a lie , no matter how broad and palpable , I took no notice of what I at once concluded to be impossible , but proceeded to inquire as to the precise functions I might be expected to perform in my canine capacity . `` A mere nothing , '' said he , with a shrug of his shoulders ; `` we harness the beasts at daybreak , -- say three o'clock ; by eight the water is all up ; then you can sleep or amuse yourself till four of the afternoon , when the Commandante Salezar likes to have cool water for his bath , -- that only takes an hour ; then you are free again till night closes in . '' `` And what then ? '' asked I , impatiently . `` You have your rounds at night . ''