noon
If the wind lulls , we 'll ride the inner line to-night and bed every hoof in the shelter of the creek . Pick up Manly , and we 'll ride the valley line about the middle of the afternoon . '' Joel turned homeward , scouting that portion of the line under patrol from headquarters . The drifting contingent was intrusted to Dell , leaving Sargent to retrace their division of the line , and before noon all had reached their quarters . From twenty to thirty miles had been covered that morning , in riding the line and recovering the lost , and at the agreed time , the relay horses were under saddle for the afternoon task . The sun had held sway , the wind had fallen , and as they followed up the valley , they encountered the cattle in large bunches , grazing to every quarter of the compass . They were not molested on the outward ride , but on the return trip , near evening , they were all turned back to the sheltering nooks and coves which the bends of the Beaver afforded .