noon
The ranger was leading Blanco Diable -- spent -- broken -- dragging -- riderless . NO man ever had a more eloquent and beautiful pleader for his cause than had Dick Gale in Mercedes Castaneda . He peeped through the green , shining twigs of the palo verde that shaded his door . The hour was high noon , and the patio was sultry . The only sounds were the hum of bees in the flowers and the low murmur of the Spanish girl 's melodious voice . Nell lay in the hammock , her hands behind her head , with rosy cheeks and arch eyes . Indeed , she looked rebellious .