noon
This was astonishing information , for it implied that Otto , like Jack , had managed to escape from his captors ; such , however , was not the case . Deerfoot repressed all sign of deep interest as he plied Lone Bear with questions . `` Did the pale-face run away when the skies were dark , or was it when the sun was in the sky ? '' `` The sun was so high that when Lone Bear walked in the clearing it cast no shadow , '' replied the Pawnee , thereby signifying that Otto Relstaub disappeared at high noon . As it was clear that even the acute Deerfoot did not grasp the full story , Lone Bear attested his sincerity by adding : `` The youth whose face was pale became ill ; he could not walk ; the Pawnees lingered hours , hunting and fishing ; but his face was white like the snow ; he tried to rise , but fell down like a pappoose when its eyes first look on the day . Red Wolf raised his tomahawk to slay him , but Lone Bear stayed his arm . The Pawnees marched on and the pale-face lay on the leaves , white and ready to die . ''