about ten o'clock
This we reached and crossed early that evening , camping out nearly five miles to the west of the river . Rain was always to be dreaded in trail work , and when bedding down the herd that night , we had one of the heaviest downpours which we had experienced since leaving the Rio Grande . It lasted several hours , but we stood it uncomplainingly , for this fortunate drenching had obliterated every trace left by our wagon and herd since abandoning the trail , as well as the sign left at the old buffalo crossing on the Salt Fork . The rain ceased about ten o'clock , when the cattle bedded down easily , and the second guard took them for their watch . Wood was too scarce to afford a fire , and while our slickers had partially protected us from the rain , many of us went to bed in wet clothing that night . After another half day 's drive to the west , we turned northward and traveled in that direction through a nice country , more or less broken with small hills , but well watered . On the morning of the first day after turning north , Honeyman reported a number of our saddle horses had strayed from camp .