noon
`` Or a pistol , '' finished Sam . `` Such rascals are not fit to live . '' Dick , as can readily be imagined , was hungry , and before the party started back for the lake , the youth was provided with some food which Aleck had very thoughtfully carried with him . It was learned that the two parties were encamped not far apart , and Dick Chester said he would bring his friends to , see them before the noon hour was passed . `` I do n't believe he will bring Josiah Crabtree , '' said Tom . `` I reckon Crabtree will take good care to keep out of sight . '' Tom was right .