seven o'clock
In the meantime , the little party were making across the hills , and before morning they came upon the northern road , fifteen miles from the Bairds ' hold . Here Oswald and Roger dismounted . It was arranged that the men should return with the horses into the hills , and should there rest until late in the afternoon , and then mount and ride for Parton . One or other of them was to come down , at seven o'clock each evening , to the road half a mile from the village ; and was there to watch till nine . If no one came along , they were then to return to their lodging . `` I feel stiff in the legs , master , '' Roger said ; `` a fifty-mile ride , up and down the hills , is no joke after a hard day 's work . '' `` They will soon come right again , Roger .