noon
`` Yes , '' replied the scout , nodding his head . `` The Indians are less careful than they were . The trail is becoming plainer . I hope we shall overtake them before noon . '' It was not long before the pursuit was resumed , and the pace of the entire party was increased when it was discovered that the Indians had entered a buffalo road and were following that clearly defined path . The expression upon the face of Boone , who , with Peleg and Israel , was in advance of the little band , made every one aware that he expected soon to overtake the savages . The time of anxiety as well as peril was surely approaching .