noon
The other three remained in and around the cabin , bringing up firewood , looking after the skins that had been placed in the air , where the sun could not get at them , and doing such chores as would fall to the lot of Trapper Jim were he alone . The letter which reached them had been from Mr. Hastings , telling them he had seen Steve 's folks , as well as Mr. Griffin and Toby 's guardian ; and that since they had gone so far , and the school would not be ready until late in November , they might stay another week longer than they had contemplated , if they cared to do so . And by a unanimous vote the five boys had immediately decided that they _ did _ care , so they enjoyed the prospect of more happy days ahead . It was almost noon when Toby was seen running frantically toward the cabin and minus his cap . Every few steps he would cast a look of fear over his shoulder . `` What ails you ? '' shouted Steve , and Toby , though he could hardly speak , managed to blurt out : `` B-b-bear -- eatin ' up all m-m-my f-f-fish .