noon
He understood now thoroughly why the outlaws had left no trails going to and coming from the Dead Line and other points upon the Overland Trail . The muffled hoofs of the horses explained this , and they stuck to their determination to leave no tracks until they got far away from the scene of their evil deeds . Buffalo Bill did not believe that he would have to go very far from the Dead Line before he found their retreat , and was expecting to find out where they were in hiding within half a day 's ride from his starting-point . But noon came , and still the trail led him on . He had plenty of time , so did not hurry . He could do nothing alone , other than to discover the retreat , and then he would make for his rendezvous with the surgeon-scout , and together they would plan their future movements . But night came on , and found him still on the trail .