noon
`` Sergeant , '' said Bob as soon as they were beyond earshot of everybody , `` I have accidentally come into the possession of a secret , and I do n't know what to do with it . There are thirty men in the garrison who are going to desert to-night . '' The old fellow took a fresh chew of tobacco , pushed his cap on the back of his head and looked at Bob , who , after telling him where he had been and how he happened to overhear the plot , continued : `` It would never do to let them go . You know I was detailed to act as the colonel 's orderly this morning , and I heard that scout who came in just before noon tell him that there is a large party of hostiles between here and Fort Tyler . These deserters intend to take their weapons with them , and think they can make a good fight ; but those Kiowas are strong enough to annihilate them . '' `` Small loss that would be to us ! '' growled the veteran .