noon
A few nuggets would be his reward . But if the aeroplane had been disabled or had reached Blue Creek too late , why then Red Bill held all the cards . Mr. Bell had reasoned this out with himself over and over again , while his brother sat , staring and disconsolate , playing endless games of solitaire . It was past noon when Jimsy , who had taken an observation between two rocks , which acted as a bullet-proof sentry box , announced that the forces of the outlaws seemed to be massing . `` Looks as if they were going to make an attack , '' he said . Mr. Bell clambered up and speedily confirmed the correctness of Jimsy 's opinion . `` Get everything ready , '' he ordered ; `` there 's just a chance we can stand them off .