noon
`` I have it ! '' he cried aloud . But he would not tell what he had . After the noon hour he instructed a half-dozen men to provide themselves with saws , axes , picks , and shovels , and all marched in the direction of the mill . When within a hundred yards or so of that structure the advancing riverman saw the lank , black figure of the mill owner flap into sight , astride a bony old horse , and clatter away , coat-tails flying , up the road and into the waiting forest . `` Now , boys ! '' cried Orde crisply .