early noon
The boys sallied forth , mounted on their best horses , their spirits soaring among the clouds . During the spring rains , several small lakes had formed in the sand hills , at one of which a band of some thirty saddle horses was watering . The lagoon was on the extreme upper end of the range , fully fifteen miles from headquarters ; and as all the saddle stock must be brought in , the day 's work required riding a wide circle . Skirting the sand dunes , by early noon all the horses were in hand , save the band of thirty . There was no occasion for all hands to assist in bringing in the absent ones , and a consultation resulted in Joel and Dell volunteering for the task , while Sargent returned home with the horses already gathered . The range of the band was well known , and within a few hours after parting with Sargent , the missing horses were in hand . The brothers knew every horse , and , rejoicing in their splendid condition , they started homeward , driving the loose mounts before them .