noon
`` Now watch us make time ! '' called out Steve , who was still doing duty as driver , though Bandy-legs and Shack Beggs had both offered to spell him when he got tired . The grade being down-hill they covered the ground much more rapidly , and amidst more or less shouting the next mile was put behind them . So they went on until noon came , and Max was of the opinion that more than one-third of their tedious journey had been accomplished . This they learned was a fact when they stopped at a farmhouse , and coaxed the good wife to cook them a glorious dinner , allowing the horses to have a good rest , so that they would be equal to the balance of the day 's work . Max , as usual , improved the opportunity to pick up pointers , and in this way no doubt saved himself and friends more or less useless work ; for they heard about a bridge that had been carried away , and were thus enabled to take a branch road that kept to the higher ground . Once more they were on the move , and headed for home .