8 P.M.
Such doings must be stopped instanter . '' Then he turned to the assembled outfits and asked for a vote , which was unanimous for war . Shortly afterward eighteen angry cowpunchers rode to the east , two red-haired gentlemen well in front and urging speed . It was 8 P.M. when they left Alkaline , and the cool of the night was so delightful that the feeling of ease which came upon them made them lax and they lost three hours in straying from the dim trail . At eight o'clock the next morning they came in sight of their destination and separated into two squads , Mr. Cassidy leading the northern division and Mr. Connors the one which circled to the south . The intention was to attack from two directions , thus taking the town from front and rear . Cactus Springs lay gasping in the excessive heat and the vigilantes who had toed Mr. Connors ' line the day before were lounging in the shade of the `` Palace '' saloon , telling what they would do if they ever faced the same man again .