about noon
Farewell . '' Once more our three travellers found themselves advancing rapidly in single file through the forest , with the guide in advance . Before the sinking sun compelled them to encamp under the trees that night they had put many miles between them and the hiding-place of the outlawed Christians . Next day , as they were about to resume their journey , Ravonino told them that about noon they would come to a large river , on the other side of which there was a village where they could spend the night , for the people and their chief were friendly . `` Are they Christians ? '' asked Mark . `` No -- at least the most of them are not , though there may be a few secret converts among them ; for this hot persecution at the capital has scattered the Christians far and wide through the land , so that the knowledge of the blessed Gospel spreads .