nearly midnight before
The moon shone brilliantly , and they pushed ahead rapidly , Ross exulting over the sheriff 's determination to get on to Meeteetse that night . They rode as silently as before , Ross in advance . The black hills met the trail on either side , and beside the trail flowed the shallow waters of Wood River until it merged into the Grey Bull . Half-way to Meeteetse , the sheriff 's horse stumbled and limped thereafter , necessitating a slower pace , so that it was nearly midnight before they drew rein in front of the `` Weller House . '' To Ross 's relief , the place was dark with the exception of a single lamp in the office . Even the barroom was deserted . Ross left the sheriff to register for both , and then followed the sleepy clerk down to a lunch of cold `` come-backs '' which that individual `` rustled '' from the kitchen himself .