noon
asked Dick , feeling his neck where the rough rope had broken the skin slightly . `` Well , we 'll get an early start , '' answered the cowboy , `` and that 's a lot when you 're hazing steers to the railroad . Every pound counts for the boss , and you can easily run off a thousand dollars by driving 'em along during the heat of the day . We can let 'em rest at noon if we start now . '' `` That 's the idea , '' said Bud . A little later , the remains of the camp fire having been carefully stamped out , to prevent dry grass from catching , packs were slung up behind the saddles -- said packs consisting of sleeping canvas , a few utensils and grub -- and the start was made . The cattle were gradually headed in the direction it was desired that they should take -- the shortest route to the railroad .