noon
There was no hurry to get off . Paul was too wise a commander to spoil the pleasure of his comrades by unseemly haste , with so much time before them . About nine o'clock the command started forth , with Bluff 's drum beating time , and the inspiring notes of the bugle lending vigor to their eager feet . By noon some of those who had seemed most chipper at the beginning of the day 's tramp were limping more or less , though still full of grit , and a determination not to lag behind . The country was getting very wild now . Occasionally they began to have glimpses of the upper Bushkill , when the forest opened more or less . Later on the road was likely to skirt the river , they understood , when conditions would be prime for possibly a swim , or some fishing , which latter , they imagined must be good so far away from town .