two o'clock in the afternoon
She was not fastidious . While Mrs. Neville and Corona were occupied with the squaw , Captain Neville and Mr. Clarence had been feasting the braves , and the attendants had been washing dishes , repacking hampers , and reloading wagons for a fresh start . When all was ready the wayfarers took leave of the Indians and re-entered their conveyances and resumed their route , leaving the savages still feasting on the fragments that remained . It was now two o'clock in the afternoon , as the long trail of carryalls and army wagons passed up from the beautiful valley and out upon the vast prairie that still rolled on before them in hills and hollows of gold and bronze , blazing under the bright autumnal sun . Men and women , mules and horses , had all been rested and refreshed by their mid-day halt and repast . The people , however , seemed less inclined to observe and converse than in the forenoon . Even Clarence saw more than one flock of birds sail over their heads , and made no sign ; saw a herd of deer stand and gaze , and said not a word .