noon
And slowly Rolf learned that these habits are seen in some measure in all animals ; yes , down to the mice and shrews . We see little of it because our senses are blunt and our attention untrained ; but the naturalist and the hunter always know where to look for the four-footed inhabitants and by them can tell whether or not the land is possessed by such and such a furtive tribe . Chapter 23 . The Beaver Pond AT THE noon halt they were about ten miles from home and had made fifteen deadfalls for marten , for practice was greatly reducing the time needed for each . In the afternoon they went on , but the creek had become a mere rill and they were now high up in a more level stretch of country that was more or less swampy . As they followed the main course of the dwindling stream , looking ever for signs of fur-bearers , they crossed and recrossed the water . At length Quonab stopped , stared , and pointed at the rill , no longer clear but clouded with mud .