noon
Harriet 's laughing assurance , however , was destined to prove truer than she had dreamed . The next morning the girls rose early , and after a hasty breakfast went ashore to do their shopping , secure in the thought that the Tramp Club would keep an eye on the `` Red Rover . '' In the meantime the boys had posted a watch on the shore , in the person of Billy Gordon , who seated comfortably on the ground , his back against a big tree , glanced frequently out over the lake to where the `` Red Rover '' lay at anchor , her red sides glistening in the sun . It was well towards noon when Billy rose from the ground and strolled lazily down to the beach . Suddenly his good-natured face took on a startled look as he stared anxiously toward the houseboat . A moment later he was running toward the tent at full speed . `` Fellows , come out here ! ''