noon
The Overlanders said they were . `` Then we will go on our way , '' directed Grace . They found the wagon trail after nearly an hour 's hard riding over rocks , into and out of gullies with steep , precipitous sides , but the wagon trail when reached , while rutty , was so much better that they soon forgot the discomforts of riding `` across lots , '' as Hippy put it . The noon halt was a brief one , after which they pressed on , having no difficulty in finding their way as directed by their mysterious adviser . It was nearly dark when they came in sight of a clearing of several acres covered with growing corn , which they surmised to be part of the Thompson farm . Grace asked Washington if it were . `` Ah reckons it be , '' answered the colored boy , but it was apparent that he knew no more about it than did the Overland Riders .