noon
But no one came to claim her that day nor during the ensuing night ; so next morning Pickhandle 's outfit set out to search desperately to better their own alarming conditions , and took the child along . Modock left behind a note explaining their action and informing whoever was responsible how he might eventually be connected with , whereupon the child would be returned . That day the sandstorm subsided , and the outfit stumbled upon the road to their destination . They found water before noon , and camped there to recuperate . Here also , when they took their leave , they left word of their appropriation of the baby girl . Later , when they had reached their camp site and settled down , Modock , having received no communication relative to the child , returned on horseback and sought for the spot where she had been found . At last it was discovered , and it was quite apparent that during the ten days ' interval no one had been there .