noon
While none felt misgiving as to danger , all had learned to be circumspect . It may be said that the stroll of the boys was as much to gain exercise as to hunt game , though the latter object was the one avowed by them . In those days a person did not have to look far for such sport , but it seemed as if the wild animals scented the danger and kept out of the way . When noon came the tired boys sat down beside a mountain torrent , without either having fired his rifle . `` We have n't heard the report of Deerfoot 's gun , '' said George , `` and I do n't see that there is any use of hunting further . '' `` Nor do I. I 'm hungry and we sha n't be able to get anything to eat this side of camp . It must be the game noticed that _ I _ was with you , and they have all run to their holes . ''