About four o'clock
It was impossible to secrete ourselves the next day , for we were compelled to have water for ourselves and stock . To conceal the fact that our friends were prisoners , we returned them their arms after throwing away their ammunition . We had to enter several ranches during the day to secure food and water , but made no particular effort to travel . `` About four o'clock we set out , and to our surprise , too , a number of horsemen followed us until nearly dark . Passing through a slight shelter , in which we were out of sight some little time , two of us dropped back and awaited our pursuers . As they came up within hailing distance , we ordered them to halt , which they declined by whirling their horses and burning the earth getting away . We threw a few rounds of lead after them , but they cut all desire for our acquaintance right there .