noon
With his jackknife he cleaned the fish as best he could , and then broiled it on a green twig . When done the meat was slightly burnt on one side and underdone on the other , but to the half-famished lad nothing had ever tasted sweeter , and he continued to eat until the whole fish was gone . `` Now I feel like myself , '' he muttered , after washing down the repast with a drink from the brook . `` On a pinch that meal ought to last me until to-morrow noon , and surely I ought to find my way back to the others by that time . '' With renewed energy he continued his tramp along the brook , often wading in the water when the brushwood on either side was extra thick . He kept his eyes and ears on the alert , but no human being came into sight , and presently a great feeling of loneliness swept over him . `` I 'm alone , '' he whispered to himself .