noon
This trail the Texan and Addie Neidic followed at their utmost speed . The double trail made by the Black Hillers and the pursuing Indians would have been plain indeed to follow had not the column of dust served as a guide . With their horses at full speed , and better than the general run of Indian ponies , the Texan and his fair companion gained slowly but surely on the Indians , and within an hour had passed the rear of their column , and were pressing well to the front . Yet it was noon when they ranged alongside of Persimmon Bill himself , and reported the discovery Addie Neidic had made . `` One more scalp ahead of us , '' was all he said , when he heard the report . And he pressed on still faster . With their heavily-laden pack-horses , lengthy as their start was , the party under Chichester saw their pursuers plainly in their rear before the day was two-thirds passed , and Captain Jack , hurrying up the rear all he could , sent word to Chichester that the reds were gaining rapidly .