midnight
I wish -- I wish '' -- `` That 's all right , my son , '' Bob Mason interrupted . `` We 've got a good idea of what you want to say , an ' you can let it go at that . As a general thing we do n't get stuck on kids ; but when one flashes up in the style you have , we cotton to him mightily . You can push that ` ere broncho right along , for forty-five miles ai n't any terrible big job for him , an ' canter into camp this side of midnight with considerable time to spare . '' `` I thank you all , an ' so will mother an ' daddy when they get here , '' he said in a husky tone , as he mounted ; and then waving his cap by way of adieu , he rode away , the happiest boy to be found on either side of the Rocky Mountains . Night had not fully come when he halted at the eastern edge of the desert to give the broncho water and grass ; and here he remained an hour , the crackers and cheese left from breakfast affording an appetizing supper to a lad who had known but little variation in his bill of fare from fresh meat , broiled or stewed , more often without salt or pepper . The stars guided him on the course across the waste of sand , and the pony made his way over the yielding surface at a pace which surprised the rider .