midday
And so from that day Step Hen was noticed to be eagerly on the watch for new sights . He asked many questions that proved his mind had awakened ; and Thad knew that that half hour when the scout had lain alongside the mountain road down in North Carolina , had possibly been the turning point in his career ; for he would never again be the same old careless , indifferent Step Hen of the past . `` There comes another canoe down the river ! '' suddenly cried Bumpus , who was still squatting in the bow of the leading canoe , industriously rubbing his right shoulder as though it pained him considerably ; a fact Thad noticed , and which had caused him to promise that he would take a look at the lame part when they stopped for their midday meal , very soon now . There was only one man in the canoe that was approaching , and presently Jim Hasty remarked that he knew him . `` It 's sure Hen Parry , from up where I used to hold out , '' he went on to say ; and then called out to the approaching Maine guide , as his make-up pronounced the other to be ; `` hullo , Hen , howd ` ye ? Glad tuh see yuh .