noon
Pierre 's conversation she regarded as a huge and perpetual joke . That night Pierre built a rough lean-to under the shelter of a great white plaster-rock , and there in a heap of fragrant branches , the child wrapped closely in the lad 's arms , the lonely pair slept warm and secure . The next day was mild and our travelers found their path easy . Ere noon they arrived within sight of Piziquid . They were on a hill with the Acadian village stretched out before them far below , but a broad river rolling between them and their destination . Pierre had forgotten about the St. Croix , but he recognized it now from description . He saw , to his disappointment , that he would have to make a long detour to pass this obstacle , so he sat down on the hill to rest and refresh his little companion .