noon
Besides , my men have hardly had time to surround the camp . It 's in deep woods . If I were you I 'd get right over it , and then rise up out of sight so they ca n't see you . Then , when it 's noon you can go down , I 'll fire the signal and the fun will commence -- that is , fun for us , but not so much for those chaps , I fancy , '' and the sheriff smiled grimly . The sheriff 's plan was voted a good one , and , accordingly , the ship , after nearing a spot about over the camp , was sent a mile or two into the air , hovering as nearly as possible over one spot . Shortly before twelve , the sheriff having seen to the weapons he brought with him , gave the signal to descend . Down shot the Red Cloud dropping swiftly when the gas was allowed to escape from the red container , and also urged toward the earth by the deflected rudder .