noon
They passed and repassed long links of a broad shallow river which the maps showed to be the Platte , and which seemed to be made of two-thirds sand to one-third water . Now and again mounted horsemen appeared in the distance whom Mr. Dayton said were `` cow-boys ; '' but no cows were visible , and the rapidly moving figures were neither as picturesque nor as formidable as they had expected them to be . Flowers were still abundant , and their splendid masses gave the charm of color to the rather arid landscape . Soon after noon dim blue outlines came into view , which grew rapidly bolder and more distinct , and revealed themselves as the Rocky Mountains , -- the `` backbone of the American Continent , '' of which we have all heard so much in geographies and the newspapers . It was delightful , in spite of dust and glare , to sit with that sweep of magnificent air rushing into their lungs , and watch the great ranges grow and grow and deepen in hue , till they seemed close at hand . To Katy they were like enchanted land . Somewhere on the other side of them , on the dim Pacific coast , her husband was waiting for her to come , and the wheels seemed to revolve with a regular rhythmic beat to the cadence of the old Scotch song , -- `` And will I see his face again ; And will I hear him speak ? ''