about noon
`` Well , the day is young yet , '' was the hopeful answer . Again they went on , and this time scared up several rabbits and also several animals they could not name , so quickly did they disappear again . The boys did not fire , however , being determined to do nothing to scare the deer away , should the game be within hearing . When , about noon , they came to a clear spring of water , they were glad enough to sit down and rest and partake of their noonday lunch , washing it down with copious draughts of water . `` Folks can say what they please , '' remarked Whopper , smacking his lips . `` When one is good and dry , nothing is so satisfying as a drink of plain , clear water . '' `` You 're right there , Whopper .