noon
Still they were galloping , though long strings dribbled from the horses ' mouths , and the saddle-leathers dripped with foam . One or two looked back at him and bit their lips ; but Carew 's eyes were hot and fierce , and his hand was on his poniard . The rest , after a curious glance or two , shrugged their shoulders carelessly and galloped on : this affair was Master Gaston Carew 's business , not theirs . Until high noon they hurried on with neither stop nor stay . Then they came to a place where a little brook sang through the grass by the roadside in a shady nook beneath some mighty oaks , and there the master-player whistled for a halt , to give the horses breath and rest , and to water them at the brook-pools . Some of the players sauntered up and down to stretch their tired legs , munching meat and bread ; and some lay down upon the grass and slept a little . Two of them came , offering Nick some cakes and cheese ; but he was crying hard and would neither eat nor drink , though Carew urged him earnestly .