noon
mused Chot . `` The best thing I can do is to get away from here as quickly as possible . '' As soon as Chot could get his breakfast he was off on his way , having seen nothing more of the bandits . From Estrada a good part of the journey was along the course of a stream that came down from the mountains and as the road was good Chot urged his horse on , but in spite of all his efforts the animal lagged ; so that when at noon he stopped to rest in a small grove , he was much less than half way to Rosado . The presence of the bandits at the Inn had disquieted him and as soon as the worst of the heat was over he re-saddled his horse to resume his journey . As he was starting off , as a matter of precaution he glanced back over the road and was disturbed to see two horsemen rapidly approaching . `` The quicker I can get away from here the better , '' he thought , and he urged his horse on as fast as he could .