about noon
The country was to be marked out , and a code of signals explained , by which they could communicate with each other , as soon as any trail was found . Not in straight lines were they to go , but in enlarging circles until they should cross the trail of the children . When it was found , they were to report as speedily as possible , that there might be a concentration from that point and thus no waste in fruitless search . Not until about noon was the first sign struck ; then it was a number of miles away from the camp . It is simply marvellous the distances that lost persons , even little children , will travel . The clue discovered by Big Tom was where the children had left the dry , rocky lands , which left no trail of the little feet , and had crossed a small , shallow stream . Here the sands were clearly marked by the little footsteps , and Tom 's big heart gave a great thump of joy as he saw the signs so clearly indicated before him .