noon
It was a beautiful morning . `` I only hope , '' Jack had said at starting , `` that it is a good omen , and that we will be able to get on the track of the party without too much delay . '' And so they started on the last leg that was to take them to Beaufort . They made such fair speed that , as noon came along , they realized they could reach the little city on the sound . Once or twice Jack had been tempted to turn in to the shore , especially when he saw what looked to be a very pretty plantation , with the house having a red roof , and nestling in among many trees , for the idea had occurred to him that he might just happen on some valuable information concerning the party whom they sought . But it ended in his determining that on the whole he had better curb his impatience until reaching Beaufort . At the postoffice he might get in touch with some one who knew .