noon
They are of the most sociable disposition , and are generally found living in large colonies on the prairies . We watched for a minute or two , but they did not again show their noses above the ground . No sooner , however , had we turned our horses ' heads , and begun to ride off , than we were saluted by a chorus of barks , which was kept up until we were out of hearing . We should have halted at noon , but as no water could be found , we pushed on , in the hopes of coming to a pool at which the cattle could drink . We carried , however , enough in our water-bottles to slake our own thirst . The sun beat down on our heads with greater force than we had yet experienced , and compelled us frequently to apply to them . The poor animals , we knew , must be suffering greatly , but the small portion of the precious liquid we could have spared would have afforded them no relief .