about noon
The victory , for victory it certainly was , increased his strength and confidence . He stopped soon at a brook -- they seemed to occur every mile -- and bathed with cold water the red streaks his spurs had made on either side of his horse . Again he spoke soothing words and regretted the necessity that had caused him to make such wounds , slight though they were . He also bathed his own face and hands and , as it was now about noon , ate of the cold ham and bread that he carried in his knapsack , meanwhile keeping constant watch on the road over which he had come . But he did not believe that the men would pursue , and he saw no sign of them . Mounting again he rode forward . The remainder of the afternoon went by without interruption .