eleven o'clock
Then all hurried out to complete the work of attempting to control the gusher . The regulator and the ordinary apparatus to connect it with the mouth of the pipe , together with the smaller tubes and their valves that were to be attached above the regulator , were all in place . In the end , Colonel Howell proposed , with still smaller pipes , to lead part of the gas into the fireplace and the bunk house stove . At eleven o'clock the perspiring men in the trench announced this part of the work completed . Then it required only a few minutes to brace a narrow platform about five feet above the bottom of the trench , next to the tube , and all paused for a short rest before making the final experiment . At last the men took their places near the roaring gusher and , at Paul 's request , he was given the opportunity to use his well-muscled arms in swinging the sledge , Colonel Howell taking his place on the platform in charge of a long-handled chisel . The duties of Norman and Roy were to assist the two workmen in manipulating the chain pulley , by which the first tap was to be forced on the open end of the pipe .