noon
About sunset , Whirlwind had the good fortune to kill one , and they deemed it prudent to encamp , as it would be impossible for them to reach the boundary of the prairie that night . Steaks constituted the chief feature of their supper , and a rarity they were , having so long been deprived of them , and which , with the addition of the Indian bread-root , made a no mean repast . They had searched every ravine , cavity , and hollow for more than a mile around for fresh water , but without success . A pool of unwholesome water similar to the one they rested by at noon , being all they found . This was a little relief to the distressed horses , but none to them . Dividing the milk of the goat between them , they lay down to sleep . At dawn , they were again in motion ; and after three hours ' hard riding , they saw the distant forest , that bounded the prairie , looming against the horizon .