noon
We rode up the mesa quite a little distance to avoid some rough broken country , then turned southward toward the Springs . Before turning off , we could see with the naked eye signs of life at the meeting-point . The wagon sheets of half a dozen chuck-wagons shone white in the dim distance , while small bands of saddle horses could be distinctly seen grazing about . When we halted at noon that day to change our mounts , we sighted to the northward some seven miles distant an outfit similar to our own . We were on the lookout for this cavalcade ; they were supposed to be the `` Spade '' outfit , on their way to attend the round-up in the middle division , where our pasture lay . This year , as in years past , we had exchanged the courtesies of the range with them . Their men on our division were made welcome at our wagon , and we on theirs were extended the same courtesy .