nearly noon
After that he got thankfully into his own saddle and rode gladly away , leading the pinto pony behind him . He had got out of the scrape , and the Happy Family would never find it out ; it was not likely that they would chance upon the Swede herder , or if they did , that they would exchange with him many words . The Happy Family held itself physically , mentally , morally and socially far above sheepherders -- and in that lay the safety of Happy Jack . It was nearly noon when he reached again the sheep camp , and the Swede hospitably urged him to stay and eat with him ; but Happy Jack would not tarry , for he was anxious to reach the camp of the Flying U . A mile from the herder 's camp he saw again on a distant hilltop three familiar figures . This time he did not dodge into shelter , but urged Stranger to a gallop and rode boldly toward them . They greeted him joyfully and at the top of their voices when he came within shouting distance .