midnight
Nevertheless , the little white messenger determined his course . He searched the edge of the water-hole for hoof prints as well as the dying light would reveal , then mounted Billy with decision at once and took up his quest where he had almost abandoned it . He was convinced that a lady was out alone in the desert somewhere . It was long past midnight when Billy and the missionary came upon the pony , high on the mesa , grazing . The animal had evidently felt the need for food and rest before proceeding further , and was perhaps a little uneasy about that huddled form in the darkness he had left . Billy and the pony were soon hobbled and left to feed together while the missionary , all thought of his own need of rest forgotten , began a systematic search for the missing rider . He first carefully examined the pony and saddle .