noon
However , they deemed it imprudent to rely on such a supposition ; and after an hour 's halt , they again moved on , pausing occasionally to refresh themselves , until towards sunset , when the ground became more even and the soil more sandy . Here they noticed the vegetation was becoming more sparse , what trees there were having a stunted and gnarled appearance ; after a long search they found a spring of pure water , by which they encamped for the night , being now relieved from the fear of an attack ; for , had they been ever so well mounted they could not have made a greater distance than they had , and having the advantage of a start of their pursuers they calculated on a certain escape . They were unmolested through the night ; and early in the morning they again set forth . At noon where they halted the face of the country was much as it was when they set out in the morning ; but , after a rapid ride in the afternoon , the vegetation entirely disappeared except the rank grass , leaving a broad prairie before them . Here they paused , resolving to rest themselves before they proceeded farther . Alas ! had they only known which way to proceed , -- what direction would lead them to their home and friends , it would have been well with them .