noon
He knew how hard it was to get close enough to an antelope to shoot it , but he had just enough gameness to think that he could get one if he came within range of it . Anyhow , there were coyotes and jack rabbits . He rode across the prairie at a smart gallop , occasionally changing his course to chase a jack rabbit , which generally disappeared over a rise in the ground like a streak of gray dust , and was seen no more . At noon he stopped for a few minutes to eat the biscuit and piece of bacon which he had taken from the rear of the chuck wagon before setting forth . He found a spring not far away , and , having given Spraddle a good , deep drink , and filling his small canteen , which was tied to the cantle of his saddle , he set forth again . It was about two o'clock when he came in sight of the first real game of the day . On the top of the rise ahead of him he saw an animal about the size of a dog .