midnight
The horsemen continued on , and by this time were so far away that Dick would have been unwise had he attempted to overtake them . He stood irresolutely an instant as if doubtful of the genuineness of this alleged business transaction . It was as if the men feared he might attempt to overtake them ; for despite the heavy loads on the burros they urged the beasts forward at their best pace , and Dick was still revolving the matter in his mind when they were a mile or more away . `` Well , it 's no use for me to stand here tryin ' to figure out whether they 've given me this money or really mean to buy the rifle , for I 've got to strike Antelope Spring between this time an ' midnight . Now that there are ten dollars in my pocket , I 'll be a pretty poor stick if I do n't do it ; but the sand-storm came mighty near windin ' me up . It was the toughest thing I ever saw . '' Then Dick set forward once more , toiling over the loose surface into which his feet sank three or four inches at every step ; and when he finally stood on the firm soil east of this waste of shifting sand , it was two hours past noon .