noon
To do all this required time sufficient to permit the three to reach the gorge , mount their animals , and get fairly under way before he and his warriors could possibly put in an appearance . Tom and Dick , therefore , could not be accused of undue recklessness in taking matters in such a leisurely fashion . They assured their young friend still further that they were on the eastern margin of the prairie , and , after starting with their mustangs , had a clear , open course before them . It was somewhat past noon when they entered the ravine , which had already been described to Ned , and , while the latter remained to talk with Morris , Tom moved on further and down in a more secluded place , in quest of their mustangs , which had been left grazing upon the rich , succulent grass , beside a running stream of mountain water . All were in high spirits , and our hero was as buoyant and cheerful as the others , when they saw their friend returning empty-handed . `` What 's up ? '' asked Dick .