noon
As the steers recovered and attempted to dislodge their riders , they nimbly sprang from their backs and hustled themselves into their ragged clothing . I breathed easier after the last cattle landed , though Forrest contended there was never any danger . At least a serious predicament had been blundered into and handled , as was shown by subsequent events . At noon that day , rumblings of thunder were heard in the Black Hills country to the west , a warning to get across the river as soon as possible . So the situation at the close of the day was not a very encouraging one to either Forrest or myself . The former had his cattle split in two bunches , while I had my wagon and remuda on the other side of the river from my herd . But the emergency must be met .