noon
`` But I say , lads , while those fellows are watching us we 'll move at a steady pace . '' After we had ridden for a couple of miles or so , Dick advised that we should put our horses to their full speed , so as to place as wide a distance between us and our enemies as possible , before we halted for breakfast . No sooner was the word given than away we went . Pierre proved an excellent guide , and took us across the most easy country , so that by noon it was considered that we might halt without fear of interruption from the same band , though it would be necessary to keep a sharp look out lest another troop of savages might be scouring the country in search of us . We were by this time desperately sharp set , and while our steeds cropped the grass around , we quickly lighted our fire and put on our venison to cook . Pierre and the Indians did not wait for that operation , but ate the dried venison raw , and I was tempted to chew the end of a strip to stop the gnawings of hunger . After a couple of hours ' rest , which our horses absolutely required , we again pushed on , anxious to find a safe camping-place for the night .