noon
It was due southeast . On the third morning Carvel purposely struck a course straight west . He noted quickly the change in Baree -- his restlessness at first , and after that the dejected manner in which he followed at his heels . Toward noon Carvel swung sharply to the south and east again , and almost immediately Baree regained his old eagerness , and ran ahead of his master . After this , for many days , Carvel followed the trail of the dog . `` Mebby I 'm an idiot , old chap , '' he apologized one evening . `` But it 's a bit of fun , after all -- an ' I 've got to hit the line of rail before I can get over to the mountains , so what 's the difference ?