ten o'clock
`` I thank you all , an ' so will mother an ' daddy when they get here , '' he said in a husky tone , as he mounted ; and then waving his cap by way of adieu , he rode away , the happiest boy to be found on either side of the Rocky Mountains . Night had not fully come when he halted at the eastern edge of the desert to give the broncho water and grass ; and here he remained an hour , the crackers and cheese left from breakfast affording an appetizing supper to a lad who had known but little variation in his bill of fare from fresh meat , broiled or stewed , more often without salt or pepper . The stars guided him on the course across the waste of sand , and the pony made his way over the yielding surface at a pace which surprised the rider . `` He can walk four miles an hour , according to this showing , and I should be in camp before ten o'clock . '' In this he was not mistaken . The broncho pushed ahead rapidly , proving that he had traversed deserts before , and was eager to complete the journey ; and when Dick came within sight of the wagon , his mother was standing in front of the camp-fire , so intent on broiling a slice of venison that she was ignorant of his coming until he shouted cheerily , -- `` Here I am , mother dear , coming along with a good bit of style , and so many fine things that you 'll open your eyes mighty wide when this bag is emptied . How is my poor old man ? ''