noon
We could see almost back to the river , and several times that morning noticed clouds of dust on the horizon . Flood noticed them first . After some little time the dust clouds arose clear and distinct , and we were satisfied that the `` Running W '' herd had forded and were behind us , not more than ten or twelve miles away . At dinner that noon , Flood said he had a notion to go back and pay Mann a visit . `` Why , I 've not seen ` Little-foot ' Bill Mann , '' said our foreman , as he helped himself to a third piece of `` fried chicken '' -LRB- bacon -RRB- , `` since we separated two years ago up at Ogalalla on the Platte . I 'd just like the best in the world to drop back and sleep in his blankets one night and complain of his chuck . Then I 'd like to tell him how we had passed them , starting ten days ' drive farther south .