noon
`` Very well , '' said the boy , jumping up with a sudden flush in his cheeks , showing a return of feverishness . `` Rest awhile , lad ; it is morning yet . See how the sun 's rays slant towards the west . At noon they will be vertical , and then we shall have the whole afternoon . '' They sat down with their eyes turned up to the specks of blue , and watched the sun-shafts dip from the west towards the centre till they poured their white light straight down . Then they started for the long downward track , Mr. Hume this time leading the way with his rifle ready . When they came again to the cavern of the skulls , the Hunter paused before pushing the mat aside .