noon
He had outwitted the redskins again . `` Now , you may rest yourself , my pet , '' he said to his horse , fondly patting the neck of his steed . `` You have done nobly , and I feel like trusting you alone to graze . '' As near as he could judge it was close upon noon , and his animal was in need of rest , although capable of continuing his arrowy flight until the sun should sink in the west . It was wise to indulge him all he could , and for the next two hours he was permitted to walk at a moderate gait . At the end of that time he headed toward a ravine , in which a few stunted trees were growing , and where he hoped to find grass and water . He did not forget the lesson he had learned , and before trusting himself in the inviting shade and coolness , he carefully circled about the place until assured that no peril lurked there , when he rode forward at the same leisurely pace .