midnight
I thanked him for the interest he had taken in me , and assured him that I had no news for Robert ; but took advantage of the opportunity to inquire if our middle brother , Zack Quirk , was on the trail with any of his herds . Lovell knew him , but felt positive he was not with any of his outfits . We had an easy night with the cattle . Lovell insisted on standing a guard , so he took Rod Wheat 's horse and stood the first watch , and after returning to the wagon , he and McNulta , to our great interest , argued the merits of the different trails until near midnight . McNulta had two herds coming in on the Chisholm trail , while Lovell had two herds on the Western and only one on the Chisholm . The next morning Forrest , who was again in charge , received orders to cross the Arkansaw River shortly after noon , and then let half the outfit come into town . The old trail crossed the river about a mile above the present town of Dodge City , Kansas , so when we changed horses at noon , the first and second guards caught up their top horses , ransacked their war bags , and donned their best toggery .