noon
The cattle were scattered all through the ranges covered by the Forest Reserve . Slowly and with infinite labor and skill , they were sought out and herded down into Hidden Gorge Canyon , below Fire Mesa . Thence , they were driven to the plains east of the post-office , where the riders cut out their own cattle . The weather held for two weeks , star-brilliant at night , with the low of mother-cows separated from their calves from mountain to mountain , with the crisp wind bringing down the frosted leaves of the aspens , and at noon the hot dust swirling up from the horses ' hoofs into the sweating faces of the riders . Perhaps thirty men rode in the Lost Chief crowd . The work was more or less solitary by day , but at night over the camp-fires , there was society enough . Douglas enjoyed it all to the very tips of his being .