noon
They were now absolutely nonplussed by the singular character of American cowboys . Madeline was pleased to note how seriously they had taken the old cattleman 's story . She had a little throb of wild expectancy that made her both fear and delight in the afternoon 's prospect . The June days had set in warm ; in fact , hot during the noon hours : and this had inculcated in her insatiable visitors a tendency to profit by the experience of those used to the Southwest . They indulged in the restful siesta during the heated term of the day . Madeline was awakened by Majesty 's well-known whistle and pounding on the gravel . Then she heard the other horses .