noon
The brush was thick and filled the gully , probably from end to end . Riding through it was impossible , and hunting it through on foot would be nothing but suicide , with a man like Blink hidden away in its depths . They climbed back to the rim , remounted and rode , as straight as might be , for the camp-fire and what lay beside , with Pink on guard . It was near noon when , through the lightening fog , they reached the place and discovered that Andy , though unconscious , was not dead . They found , upon examination of his hurt , that the bullet had ploughed along the side of his head above his ear ; but just how serious it might be they did not know . Pink , having a fresh horse and aching for action , mounted and rode in much haste to camp , that the bed-wagon might be brought out to take Andy in to the ranch and the ministrations of the Little Doctor . Also , he must notify the crew and get them out searching for Blink .