nearly
noon
About how old would you say this trail is , Panther ? '' `` Not more 'n two hours . '' They turned their course , and followed the broad path left by the horsemen across the prairie . Thus they rode at a good pace , until nearly noon , and the trail was now so fresh that they could not be far away . The change of direction had brought them toward forest , heavy with undergrowth . It was evident that the horsemen had gone into this forest as the trail continued to lead straight to it , and the Ring Tailed Panther approached with the greatest caution . `` Can you see anything , Ned , in there among them trees an ' bushes ? ''