noon
`` It is the broad valley of Nerbudda , '' Chakkra said , `` full of milk and wine against the seasons . One good day of travel ahead to the bank of Holy Nerbudda , Sahib , before the fall of night -- if the chase holds so long . '' Skag did not eat this day . It was not until high noon that they halted by a spring of sweet water , and the American thought of his thirst . Nels was leaner . He plunged to the water ; then back to the scent again with a far challenge call . -LRB- It was like the echo of his challenge to the cheetah as the wall of the waters loomed across the hills , above Poona . -RRB-