noon
He was with one of the best scouts and hunters in the West , and the sun was rising upon a valley of uncommon beauty . All about him the trees grew tall and large , without undergrowth , the effect being that of a great park , with grass thick and green , upon which the horses were grazing in deep content . The waters of the brook sang a little song as they hurried over the gravel , and the note of everything was so strongly of peace that the lad , wearied by their flight and mental strain , fell asleep in a few minutes . It was full noon when he awoke , and , somewhat ashamed of himself , he sprang up , ready to apologize , but the hunter waved a deprecatory hand . `` You did n't rest too long , '' said Boyd . `` You needed it . As for me , I 'm seasoned and hard , adapted by years of practice to the life I lead .