three
o'clock
By noon they were climbing the eastern slope of the Panamint Range . Long since they had abandoned the road ; vegetation ceased ; not a tree was in sight . They followed faint cattle trails that led from one water hole to another . By degrees these water holes grew dryer and dryer , and at three o'clock Cribbens halted and filled their canteens . `` There ai n't any TOO much water on the other side , '' he observed grimly . `` It 's pretty hot , '' muttered the dentist , wiping his streaming forehead with the back of his hand . `` Huh ! ''