nearly noon
In view of this , we could promise ourselves no midday meal -- except a can of tomatoes to the man ; so the wagon was ordered to drive through to the expected water ahead , while the saddle horses were held available as on the day before for frequent changing of mounts . The day turned out to be one of torrid heat , and before the middle of the forenoon , the cattle lolled their tongues in despair , while their sullen lowing surged through from rear to lead and back again in piteous yet ominous appeal . The only relief we could offer was to travel them slowly , as they spurned every opportunity offered them either to graze or to lie down . It was nearly noon when we reached the last divide , and sighted the scattering timber of the expected watercourse . The enforced order of the day before -- to hold the herd in a walk and prevent exertion and heating -- now required four men in the lead , while the rear followed over a mile behind , dogged and sullen . Near the middle of the afternoon , McCann returned on one of his mules with the word that it was a question if there was water enough to water even the horse stock . The preceding outfit , so he reported , had dug a shallow well in the bed of the creek , from which he had filled his kegs , but the stock water was a mere loblolly .