noon
After they had been led back it was with difficulty we could prevent their returning , but it was necessary to preserve some of the water for the following morning . Though we kept a watch as usual all night , we had not much fear of being attacked , as the want of water , would , we hoped , prevent the Indians from approaching us . Some time before the streak of pink and gold which announces the coming dawn appeared in the sky , we were all on foot and the horses were led down to be watered , but instead of the liquid we expected to find , a mass of soft mud , through which it had sunk , was alone to be discovered . Without stopping therefore for breakfast , we immediately yoked in the oxen and pushed forward , hoping that before noon we might reach some stream or another water-hole . Our own supply of the necessary liquid was almost exhausted , and we ourselves might suffer severely if none could be found . Usually the men , as they trudged forward , amused themselves by singing songs or cutting jokes , but even the merriest were now silent and their countenances grew longer and longer as the day advanced and no water appeared . My father and uncle held a consultation .