noon
Had he imagined that he would meet with the support of the majority , he would have sought to organize a rebellion in the camp . But he knew well enough that such a thing was utterly out of the question , so he was forced to content himself with fresh determinations to `` get even '' with the foreman and his favourite in some way before the winter passed ; and , as will be seen , he came perilously near attaining his object . Frank was very happy now that the way had been so opportunely opened for him to take part in the whole round of lumbering operations . He awaited with impatience the coming of noon and the rush of hungry men to their hearty dinner , because it was the signal for his release from chore-boy work and promotion to the more honourable position of assistant-teamster . The long afternoons out in the cold , crisp air , amid the thud of well-aimed axes , the crash of falling trees , the shouts of busy men , and all the other noisy incidents of the war they were waging against the innocent , defenceless forest , were precisely what his heart had craved so long , and he felt clearer than ever in his mind that lumbering was the life for him . After he had been a week at his new employment , Con Murphy , the big teamster to whom he had been assigned by the foreman , with the injunction to `` be easy on the lad , and give him plenty of time to get handy , '' was heard to say in public , -- `` Faith , an ' he 's a broth of a boy , I can tell you ; and I would n't give him for half-a-dozen of those _ parlez-vous _ Frenchies like the chap whose place he took -- indade that I would n't . '' Which , coming to Damase 's ears , added further fuel to the fire of jealousy and hate that was burning within this half-savage creature 's breast .