noon
The three days ' storm had thrown so many trees that the hunters decided it would be worth while making a fast trip down to Eagle 's Nest , to cut such timber as might have fallen across the stream , and so make an easy way for when they should have less time . The surmise was quite right . Much new-fallen timber was now across the channel . They chopped over twenty-five trunks before they reached Eagle 's Nest at noon , and , leaving the river in better shape than ever it was , they turned , for the swift , straight , silent run of ten miles home . As they rounded the last point , a huge black form in the water loomed to view . Skookum 's bristles rose . Quonab whispered , `` Moose !