noon
The white , fine sand of its shores was soft as carpet to their feet , as they ran races along the shore , and took a swim by moonlight before they turned in for the night 's rest . They liked the wildness of the loon 's weird hullo , coming in at the open flaps of the tents from afar ; and the clumsy fluttering and flapping of great beetles against the canvas , attracted by the lantern light that shone through . The cawing of crows just above their heads awoke them early next morning . They were out for perch and bass before the sun was high , and were in luck , for the fish were plenty ; and the perch chowder that Bob , who was an old and experienced camper , made for the noon meal was a wonderful achievement , and reminded them of old times in Samoset Bay . But there was one drawback -- at least , for Henry Burns and Harvey , who were hankering for the grip of a tiller and the thrill of a boat under sail . There was n't a sailboat to be hired on the pond . There were not many , and they were all engaged .