about noon
The prisoner was then taken to an adjoining old and empty log-house , a straw-bed laid on the floor for him , and a strong guard placed over him , both within and around the house without ; so that , being constantly under the eyes of vigilant , well-armed men , there should be no possibility of his escape , either by his own exertions , or by the aid of secret accomplices . And these precautions being faithfully observed , the night wore away without alarm , or any kind of disturbance . The fore part of the succeeding day also passed , though people soon began to pour into the village from all quarters , with singular quietness , -- all seeming to be oppressed with that deep feeling of hushed expectation which may often be seen to predispose men to a sort of restless silence , on the known eve of an exciting event . And , through the whole of it , no incident or circumstance transpired affecting the great interest of the occasion , till about noon ; when the news spread that the anxiously-awaited party from the upper lakes were approaching . As they came up to the tavern , the now excited crowd quickly closed around them , and eagerly listened to their report . Of Claud Elwood , whom they had unknowingly passed and repassed , on their way up and down the lakes , while he was lying helpless in the secluded retreat to which his fair and devoted preserver had conveyed him , they had heard nothing , seen nothing , and discovered no clues by which his locality or fate could be traced or conjectured . But they had visited , and carefully examined , the place pointed out by Moose-killer as the one where Mark Elwood was supposed to have been slain ; and , although they had failed to find the body on the land , or in the lake , with the best means they could command for dragging it , and although time had measurably effaced the traces by which the sagacious Indian had judged of the suspected deed , yet every appearance went to confirm the strict accuracy of his previous account .