noon
The Company man certainly understood the situation . Aloud he said : `` I think I know what Jefferson Worth wants , Mr. Holmes , and I reckon you 'll have to trust me to carry out his wishes . I know the distance ; I know this road ; and I know horse flesh a little . At the rate you 're trying to go you 'll be afoot before noon to-morrow . You can ride your own horse down if you want to , but you ca n't hinder me by fretting mine into unnecessary exertion . He 'll need every ounce of his strength and I 'm going to see that he does n't waste any of it . Either push ahead out of sight and hearing as fast as you please , or turn back ; but if you ride with me you 'll quit this monkey business and ride quietly at the gait I set . ''