nearly noon
Thereafter , as a matter of precaution , a dead-line must be maintained between the wintered and the through cattle ; and as Manly was to remain another year , he and an assistant were detailed to stay at headquarters . A reduced mount of horses was allowed them , and starting the beeves at daybreak , the wagon and remuda followed several hours later . The trail foreman was humored in his wishes . It was nearly noon when the through herd was reached , grazed and watered to surfeiting , and a single glance satisfied Joel Wells that the cattle fully met every requirement . The question of age was disposed of as easily as that of quality . `` We gathered this year 's drive on our home ranges , '' said the foreman , `` and each age was held separate until the herds were made up . I started with fifteen hundred threes and sixteen hundred twos , with ten head extra of each age , in case of loss on the trail .