about noon
He had no idea of the purpose of the Drifter crowd , but of course their main object was to capture their rival . The question was , failing in this , how , far would they go in the way of crippling or even destroying the Monarch II . The Drifter was headed on a course directly towards the eminence which the boys had just left behind them . There had come up an eight hour wind about noon , and Dave knew that would be child 's play maneuvering to avoid the enemy intent on annoying or injuring them . He drove ahead at a six hundred feet level and waited for the Drifter crowd to indicate what their purpose was . `` They are changing their course ! '' said Hiram quickly , as the Drifter wheeled suddenly .