about noon
The venison was gone ! The boys remained at the cabin all the next day stirring out only for wood and game . Without going , more than a dozen yards from the habitation , the boys shot three rabbits and half a dozen squirrels . These were taken about noon , and the boys immediately began the preparation of a stew . There were a few potatoes left , and these they pared and sliced into the savory dish when it was nearing completion . They expected , every one of them , to receive another visit from the mysterious persons who had appeared at the cabin on the previous night , yet they did not talk of what was in their thoughts . They discussed the sad plight of Antoine , wandering about in the forest with a broken wrist , and wondered if the cached provisions were still intact .