about noon
`` Good-by , Rifle-Eye , '' called the boy , `` and I 'll look for your coming back . '' He watched the old man until he was lost to sight and then waited until the sound of the horse 's hoofs on the hillside had ceased . He found a lump in his throat as he turned away , but he went into the tent , and went over his reports to see if they read all right before the Supervisor arrived . Then , thinking that it was likely his chief would come about noon , he exerted himself trying to make up an extra good dinner . He caught some trout , and finding some lettuce growing in the little garden , got it ready for salad , and then mixed up the batter for some `` flapjacks , '' as the old hunter had shown him how . He had everything ready to begin the cooking , and was writing letters when he heard his guest coming up the trail , and went out to meet him . After Wilbur had made his reports and got dinner , for both of which he received a short commendation , the Supervisor broached the question of the timber trespass .