eleven o'clock
The wire to Prescott was still unresponsive . Nothing had been heard from the linesmen and their escort , indicating that the break was probably far over as the Agua Fria . Not a sign , except Stout 's signal blazes at the _ picacho _ , had been gathered from the front . Camp Sandy was cut off from the world , and the actual garrison left to guard the post and protect the women , children and the sick as eleven o'clock drew nigh , was exactly forty men of the fighting force . It was believed that Stout 's couriers would make the homeward run , very nearly , by the route the pack-train took throughout the day , and if they succeeded in evading hostile scouts or parties , would soon appear about some of the breaks of the upper Beaver . Thither , therefore , with all possible speed Plume had directed his men , promising Mrs. Sanders , as he rode away , that the moment a runner was encountered he would send a light rider at the gallop , on his own good horse -- that not a moment should be lost in bearing them the news . But midnight came without a sign .