About noon
I felt somewhat comforted by the decision of the Indian 's tone , and a good deal more so by his ordering his warriors to remount before half an hour had passed . He did not however , press on as hard as before , fearing , no doubt that the horses would break down . I felt assured that Attick would not dare to halt until he believed himself almost beyond pursuit ; and , as the chase therefore bade fair to be a very long one , it seemed wise thus to spare the horses . About noon , however , we passed through a strip of woodland , and , on coming out at the other side , observed a party of horsemen on the distant horizon . `` Waugh ! '' exclaimed Big Otter , shaking the reins of his steed and going off at racing speed . We soon began to overhaul the cavalcade , and then perceived that they were doing their utmost to get away from us .