noon
`` Let 's get into the lee of the bluff yonder ; this wind 's keen , '' Curtis said . `` You 're losing time , '' Prescott objected . `` We 've lost it , '' Curtis told him grimly . `` My mount has been out since noon , and it 's near midnight now . Stanton 's is n't much fresher . '' Prescott rode with them to the bluff , where they got down . `` That 's a relief ; it 's quite a while since I could feel the bridle , '' said Curtis , turning to Prescott .