noon
By degrees Hughie augmented his besieging force from the more adventurous settlers and Indians , and placed them in the bush surrounding the door . The war game was demoralized , but the new game proved so much more interesting that it was taken up with enthusiasm and prosecuted with vigor . It was rare sport . For the whole noon hour Hughie and his bombarding force kept Foxy and his friends in close confinement , from which they were relieved only by the ringing of the school bell , for at the sound of the bell Hughie and his men , having had their game , fled from Foxy 's wrath to the shelter of the school . When Foxy appeared it was discovered that one eye was half shut , but the light that gleamed from the other was sufficiently baleful to give token of the wrath blazing within , and Hughie was not a little anxious to know what form Foxy 's vengeance would take . But to his surprise , by the time recess had come Foxy 's wrath had apparently vanished , and he was willing to treat Hughie 's exploit in the light of a joke . The truth was , Foxy never allowed passion to interfere with business , and hence he resolved that he must swallow his rage , for he realized clearly that Hughie was far too dangerous as a foe , and that he might become exceedingly valuable as an ally .