noon
The train had brought them into another world , a world unlike anything that Annesley had seen before . At the stations were flat-faced , half-breed Indians and Mexicans ; some poorly clad , others gaily dressed , with big straw hats painted with flowers , and green leggings laced with faded gold . In the distance were hills and mountains , and the train ran through stretches of red desert sprinkled with rough grass , or cleft with river-beds , where golden sands played over by winds were ruffled into little waves . Toward noon Knight showed himself at the open door of the stateroom . `` We 'll be in Albuquerque before long now , '' he announced . `` That 's where I change , you know , for Texas . The train stops for a while , and I can get your ticket for Los Angeles .