noon
They look to me to be only about three miles . '' `` The air is very pure and clear out here , lad . No better air in this wide world than that of Colorady . '' At noon they came to a halt in a little hollow , protected alike from the breeze and the direct rays of the overhead sun . Their saddle bags were filled with provisions , and Tom and Sam began to prepare their first meal in the open , with Dick and the old miner assisting . After the meal Jack Wumble took a smoke and a ten minutes ' nap , and during that time the three boys strolled off in various directions , Sam going ahead on the trail . Presently the youngest Rover had his eye arrested by a post set up in the middle of the trail .