noon
The latter was recognized as a staple in trail-work , and it mattered not how inviting the beef or venison might be , we always fell back to bacon with avidity . When it came time to move out on the evening lap , Forrest 's herd took the lead , the other two falling in behind , the wagons pulling out for town in advance of everything . Jack Splann had always acted as segundo in my absence , and as he had overheard Lovell 's orders to Forrest , there was nothing further for me to add , and Splann took charge of my `` Open A 's . '' When changing mounts at noon , I caught out two of my best saddlers and tied one behind the chuckwagon , to be left with a liveryman in town . Leaving old man Don with the cattle , all three of us foremen went into the village in order to secure a few staple supplies with which to complete the journey . It can be taken for granted that Sponsilier and myself were feeling quite gala . The former took occasion , as we rode along , to throw several bouquets at Forrest over his preferment , when the latter turned on us , saying : `` You fellows think you 're d -- d smart , now , do n't you ?