two o'clock
Next day he made a better shelter than Thorpe 's in less than half the time ; and was off hunting before the sun was an hour high . He was armed with an old-fashioned smooth-bore muzzle-loader ; and Thorpe was astonished , after he had become better acquainted with his new companion 's methods , to find that he hunted deer with fine bird shot . The Indian never expected to kill or even mortally wound his game ; but he would follow for miles the blood drops caused by his little wounds , until the animals in sheer exhaustion allowed him to approach close enough for a dispatching blow . At two o'clock he returned with a small buck , tied scientifically together for toting , with the waste parts cut away , but every ounce of utility retained . `` I show , '' said the Indian : -- and he did . Thorpe learned the Indian tan ; of what use are the hollow shank bones ; how the spinal cord is the toughest , softest , and most pliable sewing-thread known . The Indian appeared to intend making the birch-knoll his permanent headquarters .