noon
There was a marked silence , only broken by a clatter of hoofs , and the trail boss cantered up to the tent . `` That wagon track , '' said he , dismounting , `` is little more than a dim trail . Sorry I did n't think about it sooner , but we ought to have built a smudge fire where this road intersects the cattle trail . In case the doctor does n't reach there by noon , I sent orders to fly a flag at the junction , and Joel to return home . But if the doctor does n't reach there until after darkness , he 'll never see the flag , and could n't follow the trail if he did . We 'll have to send Joel back . '' `` It 's my turn , '' said Dell .