midnight
We 'll throw the herd on the trail ; and between the lead and rear light , you swing men want to ride well outside , and you point men want to hold the lead cattle so the rear will never be more than a half a mile behind . I 'll admit that this is somewhat of an experiment with me , but I do n't see any good reason why she wo n't work . After the moon gets another hour high we can see a quarter of a mile , and the cattle are so well trail broke they 'll never try to scatter . If it works all right , we 'll never bed them short of midnight , and that will put us ten miles farther . Let 's ride , lads . '' By the time the herd was eased back on the trail , our evening camp-fire had been passed , while the cattle led out as if walking on a wager . After the first mile on the trail , the men on the point were compelled to ride in the lead if we were to hold them within the desired half mile .