noon
`` Then jump in . '' Parkhurst ran his boat close to the bridge , and Ralph sprang down on one of the seats . Soon the two were moving down Silver Lake at all the speed the little craft commanded . It was a splendid day , with a stiff breeze blowing , and by noon Martinton was reached . Then , giving Ralph directions as to where the boat was to be left in Westville , Roy Parkhurst quit the boat , and , having eaten the lunch , the boy started on the return , never dreaming of the excitement in store for him . Like his father before him , Ralph had always liked the water . He was perfectly familiar with the handling of all manner of small craft , and , had it paid , would have liked nothing better than to follow a life on the lakes .