noon
agreed Mack . `` It could n't be Bob , for he 'd know these mules , and he ai n't been to the Bar-T for quite a spell . I du n no who that kin be , then , Miss Frances . '' Frances had had her light fowling-piece put in the wagon , and before noon she sighted a flock of the scarce prairie chickens . Away she scampered on Molly after the wary birds , and succeeded , in half an hour , in getting a brace of them . Mack picked and cleaned the chickens on the wagon-seat . `` They 'll help out with supper to-night , if Miz ' Peckham ai n't expectin ' company , '' he remarked .