half past two
Let me send out a platoon , mounted , and we may nail the gang before sunrise . '' It was then short of two o'clock , and while busy trailers followed on with their lanterns down the eastward bank , and were presently seen flitting like fireflies far south among the willows , Turner himself , with a score of his men , hastened back to quarters . There was saddling in hot haste , yet with the precision of long practice . By half past two all sight or sound of the trailers and the pursuing horsemen was lost in the distance , and a corporal , trotting back from the Sanchez place , reported that Muñoz and some of his fellows had joined in the search , and already with important result . Captain Turner sent him back with his compliments to the commanding officer . In the presence of Bonner , Bucketts and Strong , the general took the package , something heavy , bundled in the red silk handkerchief Turner had torn from his own brawny throat . A scrap of paper went fluttering to the ground , which the adjutant quickly recovered and handed to his chief , who read aloud in the dim candle light the words : `` It might be well to keep this from Harris , at least to-night . ''