noon
Our foreman had conceived the scheme of getting past these waterbound herds , if possible , which would give us a clear field until the next large watercourse was reached . Flood and Forrest returned during the noon hour , the former having found , by swimming , a passable ford near the mouth of Monday Creek , while the latter reported the ferry in `` apple-pie order . '' No sooner , then , was dinner over than the wagon set out for the ferry under Forrest as pilot , though we were to return to the herd once the ferry was sighted . The mouth of Monday Creek was not over ten miles below the regular trail crossing on the Brazos , and much nearer our noon camp than the regular one ; but the wagon was compelled to make a direct elbow , first turning to the eastward , then doubling back after the river was crossed . We held the cattle off water during the day , so as to have them thirsty when they reached the river . Flood had swum it during the morning , and warned us to be prepared for fifty or sixty yards of swimming water in crossing . When within a mile , we held up the herd and changed horses , every man picking out one with a tested ability to swim .