noon
Toward the middle of the following afternoon Jerkline Jo 's freight outfit , minus the diverting Mr. Tweet of the twisted nose , was wending its way empty back toward the distant mountains , hauling the necessary water in the tank wagon . They were still ten miles from the mouth of the mountain pass when they went into camp on the desert for the night . When they started next morning the tank wagon was taken on a way and left , for , with the lake at the highest point of the pass , and the artesian water at the desert ranch on the other side , they would be well supplied for the remainder of the trip . Before noon they were entering the pass and moving up the steep ascent into cooler atmosphere , and light , invigorating air , scented with the breath of pines and junipers . Hiram Hooker was lazing on his high seat , dreaming and watching his leaders , when from behind came the familiar call : `` Who-hoo ! '' He turned his face back toward the mistress of the ten gigantic whites . `` Who repaired the road back there ? ''