Four o'clock
He had learned the art so rapidly that it took but a few minutes to cut all he could need for himself and friend . Then he hurried to the little grove near by , washed and dressed the food , which seemed to be juicy and tender , and started a fire for the purpose of broiling it . He had not paused in his work up to this point , but now he stopped with the first real thrill of alarm for his friend . `` Four o'clock ! '' he exclaimed to himself ; `` what can have become of him ? '' He walked to the edge of the trees and looked out , anxiously peering in different directions , but nothing was seen of his friend . Knowing Fred 's waggish nature , Jack hoped that he was indulging in some jest , but he could not quite convince himself that such was the fact .