noon
`` Three men , '' replied the sergeant , `` came in at different times with tales , but the three tales agree . Grierson has made a great raid , even further down than we have gone . He has more than double our numbers , and if we can unite with him it 's likely that we can turn Forrest into the pursued instead of the pursuer . They say we can hit his trail about twenty-five miles from here , and if that 's so we 'll bring him up to the ford by noon to-morrow . Does n't it look promising to you , Lieutenant Mason ? '' `` It does look promising , Sergeant Whitley , if we do n't happen to be taken by the Johnnies who infest this region . Besides , you 'll have to guide through the dark to-night .