noon
As yet , they had been unable to attempt any fancy riding with their ponies , owing to the rugged nature of the country through which they had been journeying . So in the morning they asked Lige if he knew of a place where they could do some `` stunts , '' as Ned Rector phrased it . The guide said that , by making a detour in their journey that day , they would cross table lands several acres in extent and covered with grass . `` And come to think of it , that will be an ideal place for us to drop off for our noon meal , '' he added . `` We 'll let Jose go on again , and I do n't think he can lose himself so easily this time . The trail is so plainly marked that he ca n't miss it . '' The boys were now all anxiety to start , while the ponies , after their Sunday rest , were almost as full of life as were their owners .