three in the morning
`` It will wet us to the skin , to be sure , but it will put the Texans off their guard . '' Once during the afternoon Ralph had thought to escape , but the captain had threatened to shoot him on the spot , and the attempt had amounted to nothing . The boy 's weapons had been taken from him , and the mustang belonging to Dan had been appropriated by the Mexican private . The private knew the vicinity of San Antonio well , and said they had better halt at a certain gully until two or three in the morning . This was done , and by four o'clock they were safely inside of San Antonio without the Texan pickets being the wiser , the rain and darkness proving the Mexicans ' best ally . As soon as he was safe , Captain Arguez went to headquarters to report , taking the private and Ralph with him . Ralph was put in a side room of the quarters , and left under guard for several hours .