noon
When he had settled on the upland farm he meant to rent , he could easily get what the store-keeper was holding for him . And now it was high time our boys once more started on their voyage . Hundreds of miles still separated them from their destination , and no one could prophesy what difficulties must be faced and overcome before they eventually brought up in New Orleans . It was just noon when they let go and pushed out upon the friendly bosom of the mighty Mississippi . Kim and George gave them a parting salute , which the voyagers sent back with a good will . Then shortly a bend cut them off from view , and the little episode was numbered with the past . `` Anyhow , it was a bully time we had there , '' said Thad , as he started to knock some sort of lunch together , while his chum looked after piloting the boat .