noon
I might have laughed , only I did n't seem to have breath enough , '' said Jerry , but the look in his eyes told how he had enjoyed seeing his chum passing through the same experience . A fire was made , so that the soaked ones might dry off . Meanwhile , Mr. Mabie and Will succeeded in successfully shooting the rapids , though the latter was wise enough to leave his precious camera in the care of Bluff . As noon found them still there , they took a `` snack '' before resuming the water journey . Below the fierce rapids the current was still swift , but there were places where the stream widened , and here the scenery was very fine , although the leaves looked more or less parched on account of the scarcity of rain during the summer that was passing . An hour later , and they saw signs of smoke below . `` The boys have arrived ahead of us , '' said Mr. Mabie , pointing to the wreaths that ascended above the trees .