noon
The faces around him cleared gradually and heads began to nod in comprehending consent . `` Yes , I reckon you have , '' agreed Cowan , slowly , but the frown was not entirely gone . `` Yes , I reckon -- mebby -- you have . '' It was noon by the sun when Hopalong and Red shook hands south of the old ford and the former turned to enter the brush . Hopalong was cool and ominously calm while his companion was the opposite . Red was frankly suspicious of the whole affair and nursed the private opinion that Mr. Elkins would lay in ambush and shoot his enemy down like a dog . And Red had promised himself a dozen times that he would study the signs around the scene of action if Hopalong should not come back , and take a keen delight , if warranted , in shooting Mr. Elkins full of holes with no regard for an even break .