Noon
Chrome 's triumphant rejoicing of the early day was rapidly giving place to uneasiness . In the absence of rations even martial fame is an empty thing . It was a bitter pill to have to go down and consult with Canker , but he did not know what else to do . Noon found him , watched by the lurking Indians among the bluffs , still guarding his captured herd and waiting for Sanders to come along with the pack-train . But there was no dinner for Chrome 's command that day , and , by nightfall , even the ponies were gone . Barely two hours after the triumphant appearance of Red Dog and his reinforcements on the scene of the morning 's fight , Truman and Cranston , making the rounds together , came upon Davies among the rifle-pits on the north front , instead of resting with the wounded under the banks . He was still pallid and ill , but , having dressed and bandaged his wound and had a refreshing dip in the stream , he had made his way out among the men .