noon
Also , they said , it was quite necessary to look after so important a gathering officially , as there was the lake , and other dangers , to which over enthusiastic youths might be more or less exposed . Major Dale and Mr. MacAllister only remained long enough to see that everything was satisfactorily started , and then left , charging Ralph Willoby and Squire Travers to act as special officers . That this was a wise precaution was plainly demonstrated before the day ended . Toward noon the merry-makers scattered throughout the spacious grounds , looking for particularly pleasant spots to eat lunch . This was by no means a difficult matter , for there were rustic benches built around wonderful trees , besides little caves lined with soft pine needles and covered with brown mounds of them . The diversity of natural beauties made this grove famous , for many miles around , and never before , perhaps , was every nook and corner so thoroughly explored . Ralph and the squire roamed around , seeing to it that boys in boats kept a safe distance from the falls coming from the gates and old water wheel .