about noon
All day long they were kept in their improvised prison . They slept a little and talked a little , but try as they would they were unable to so much as loosen their bonds . But they all agreed on one thing , as expressed by Chester : `` We 'll make a break for freedom at the first opportunity , no matter what the odds against us . '' One of Robard 's hirelings brought them a bite to eat about noon and again shortly after 6 o'clock . Darkness fell and still Robard himself had failed to appear . `` Maybe the time for departure has been postponed , '' said Chester . `` Hardly , '' replied Uncle John .