about midday
`` It 's no weather for anybody to be out in . All the same , if those horses are n't to be a dead loss , somebody 's got to round them up . '' Finally Jim got his way . In a temporary lull about midday he set out on his stout horse , well wrapped up in the thick woollen garments provided for such times as these , and determined to bring in those horses , or perish in the attempt . `` They went off sou ' - west , '' shouted the sergeant . `` I should -- '' A furious blast as the gale recommenced carried away whatever else he might have said , and Jim was alone with his good horse on the prairie . There was no hesitancy in his mind .