noon
He was becoming conscious of a pain in his left side ; one foot felt sore ; and as the sun got hotter a longing to lie down a while grew steadily stronger . Still , he could see nothing but short , gray grass ahead ; he must hold on ; there might be bluffs or broken country beyond the skyline . At length a small square block cut against the dazzling brightness and slowly grew into a lonely homestead . After some consideration , George headed for it , and toward noon reached a little , birch-log dwelling , with a sod stable beside it . Both had an uncared-for appearance , which suggested their owner 's poverty . As George approached the door , a gaunt , hard-faced man in dilapidated overalls came out and gazed at him in surprise . George 's clothing , which had been torn when he was seized in the bluff , had further suffered during the deluge .