noon
`` It looks to me , '' remarked Charley , `` as though there is n't a soul in this region except ourselves . If that is so , it is the best possible time to do a little exploring . Suppose we take a look at the valley above our camp . We can cover a lot of ground between now and noon and yet get back here for another observation during the dinner hour . We ought to be in this watch-tower or at some other point equally good every time men would naturally be having fires , and that means morning , noon , and night . Between times we can explore the forest . It means some pretty stiff hiking , but I guess we can stand it . ''