noon
We have timed our morning 's drive so as to reach the river during the warmest hour of the day , or as near noon as possible . You can hardly imagine what a difference there is , in fording this herd , between a cool , cloudy day and a clear , hot one . You see the herd is strung out nearly a mile in length now , and to hold them up and waste an hour or more for your inspection would seriously disturb our plans . And then our wagon and _ remuda _ have gone on with orders to noon at the first good camp beyond the river . I perfectly understand your reasons , and you equally understand mine ; but I will send a man or two back to help you recross any cattle you may find in our herd . Now , if a couple of you gentlemen will ride around on the far side with me , and the others will ride up near the lead , we will trail the cattle across when we reach the river without cutting the herd into blocks . '' Flood 's affability , coupled with the fact that the lead cattle were nearly up to the river , won his point .