noon
The wireless seemed to work better in that dry , cold air than in the humid atmosphere of the northern climes . The character of the country had not changed . Deep gullies still scarred the white hills that fringed the barrier , but not one of these yielded the secret the boys had come so far to unravel . `` I 'm beginning to think this is a wild goose chase , '' began Billy , as at noon Frank landed , took his bearings , and then announced that they were within a few minutes of the spot in which the ship ought to lie . `` She seems as elusive as the fur-bearing pollywog , '' announced the professor . `` You still believe there is such a creature ? '' asked Harry .