noon
He explained in minute detail the art of punching cows , and told her more of the West in half an hour than she could have learned from a year 's experience . She showed such keen interest in his words that it was a pleasure to talk to her , and he monopolized the conversation until the town intruded its sprawling collection of unpainted shacks and adobe huts in their field of vision . CHAPTER XXIV . The Strategy of Mr. Peters Hopalong and his companion rode into Muddy Wells at noon , and Red Connors , who leaned with Buck Peters against the side of Tom Lee 's saloon , gasped his astonishment . Buck looked twice to be sure , and then muttered incredulously : `` What th ' heck ! '' Red repeated the phrase and retreated within the saloon , while Buck stood his ground , having had much experience with women , inasmuch as he had narrowly escaped marrying . He thought that he might as well get all the information possible , and waited for an introduction .