noon
The kine were smaller and less shaggy , the horses larger . North of the Kro-lu village I saw a small band of the latter of about the size of those of our old Western plains -- such as the Indians bred in former days and to a lesser extent even now . They were fat and sleek , and I looked upon them with covetous eyes and with thoughts that any old cow-puncher may well imagine I might entertain after having hoofed it for weeks ; but they were wary , scarce permitting me to approach within bow-and-arrow range , much less within roping-distance ; yet I still had hopes which I never discarded . Twice before noon we were stalked and charged by man-eaters ; but even though I was without firearms , I still had ample protection in Nobs , who evidently had learned something of Caspakian hunt rules under the tutelage of Du-seen or some other Galu , and of course a great deal more by experience . He always was on the alert for dangerous foes , invariably warning me by low growls of the approach of a large carnivorous animal long before I could either see or hear it , and then when the thing appeared , he would run snapping at its heels , drawing the charge away from me until I found safety in some tree ; yet never did the wily Nobs take an unnecessary chance of a mauling . He would dart in and away so quickly that not even the lightning-like movements of the great cats could reach him . I have seen him tantalize them thus until they fairly screamed in rage .