noon
From the top of this ridge , half an hour later , he glimpsed a haze of smoke rising from the little valley just beyond . And when he came to a place whence he could have an unobstructed view he saw a scattering flock of sheep , a tiny stream of water and a rickety board shack . It was from this shelter that the smoke rose . It was high noon and down there the midday meal was cooking . Food being cooked right under his nose ! All day he had been hungry ; now he was ravenous . So strong was the impulse upon him that he started down the slope in a direct line to the house , bent upon flinging open a door and demanding to be fed .