noon
As on that other occasion in the corral , Pat had learned something . He had measured a man , and he knew , and knew that the man knew , that he had come off victor . But it gave him no secret gratification . He continued to trot along , holding steadily to the gait , subtly aware of the slackened rein and of the wrenched and loosened girdle , until , with the coming of noon , the blessed relief from the weight of the man , the ill-fitting saddle , and the over-tight girth , came also an agreeable surprise . He was turned out to graze without hobble or tether , and for this consideration he felt faint glimmerings of respect for his new master . Making free at first with the other horses , he set off to enjoy to the full his new-found liberty . But as he pursued ever farther the elusive vegetation in the joy of freedom , he presently awoke to his great distance from camp , and , indeed , from the other horses .