about eight o'clock
With these instructions well understood , Deck returned to the Riverlawns and summoned Life . The selection of the five sharpshooters was left to the tall Kentuckian , and it is needless to state that the captain picked out the most able fellows his company afforded . The horses had already been watered and groomed , and the men had had supper ; so after Deck 's own steed was cared for , they set off , the major and the captain side by side , and the sharpshooters by column of twos in the rear . At about eight o'clock the mountain was passed , and the seven cavalrymen found themselves in a small valley , with rocks upon one side , and a woods backed up by a small creek on the other . The trail lay along the bank of the creek , and was easy to follow , even in the gathering darkness . `` How long do you propose to travel -- all night ? '' asked Life , presently .