noon
As Pink had outlined the plans , everything was understood . We were encamped on a nice stream , and instead of trailing along with the herd , lay over for that day . Night came and our hunters failed to return , and the next morning we trailed forward towards the Arkansas River . Just as we went into camp at noon , two horsemen loomed up in sight coming down the trail from above . Every rascal of us knew who they were , and when the two rode up , Pink grew very angry and demanded to know why we had failed to reach the river the day before . `` The horse wrangler , a fellow named Joe George , had been properly coached , and stepping forward , volunteered this excuse : ` You all did n't know it when you left camp yesterday morning that we were out the wagon team and nearly half the saddle horses . Well , we were .