noon
The Apaches were now in a mountainous region , following a sort of trail that was generally wide enough to permit a dozen to ride abreast if they wished to do so . Occasionally it was rough and precipitous , winding in and out , and now and then difficult to travel ; but the wiry little mustangs went along as unhesitatingly as mountain goats . Although they were among the mountains , at times the air was oppressively hot , not a particle of breeze reaching them . It was little past noon when the party drew rein in a place very similar to that wherein they encamped the night before . As the mustangs came to a halt , their riders leaped to the ground , and , turning them over to the care of a half dozen of their number , they refreshed themselves at a stream running near at hand , the water of which was clear and cold , and equally inviting to man and beast . Ned climbed down from his horse , apparently with great difficulty and pain . `` May I go and get a drink ? ''