noon
The two we bought from Captain Sutter , though strong , were skittish , and gave us much trouble , for our newly engaged servant , whose name is James Horry , knew more about harpooning and flenching whales than about the management of horses . He was certainly willing and did his best , but he occasioned some mirth during the day 's march by his extreme awkwardness on horseback . However , to do him justice , he bore the numerous falls which he came in for with great philosophy , starting up again every time he was `` grassed , '' and laughing as loudly as the rest . At noon we halted to refresh by the side of a small stream of crystal purity . While making preparations for our hurried meal , we had all our eyes about us for gold in the channel of the rivulet , but saw none . We had not yet reached the favoured spot . After some difficulty in catching the pack-horses , one of the perverse brutes having taken it into its head to march up to its belly in the stream , where he floundered about for some time , enjoying the coolness of the water , we set forward , determined to reach the lower diggings by sundown .