nine o'clock
Ordinarily when making summer marches over the range , the first `` water camp '' on the Sweetwater trail was here at Cañon Springs . On the road to Frayne , which crossed the brook ten miles to the east , all wagon trains and troops not on forced march made similar camp . In the case of scouting detachments or little parties sent out from Emory , it was always customary to spend the first night and make the first camp on the Box Elder at furthermost , then to push on , ready and refreshed , the following day . Dean well knew that to get the best work out of his horses he should start easily , and up to nine o'clock he had fully intended to make the usual camp at the Springs . But once before , within a few years , a big scouting party camping in the gorge of the Box Elder had been surprised by one of those sudden , sweeping storms , and before they could strike tents , pack up and move to higher ground , the stream took matters into its own hands and spared them all further trouble on that score , distributing camp and garrison equipage for long leagues away to the east . Two miles back , trooper Carey , who had been complaining of severe cramp and pain in the stomach , begged to be allowed to fall out and rest awhile . He was a reliable old soldier when whisky was not winning the upper hand , and this time whisky was not at fault .