noon
Ross gave the word to halt , and again they ate of cold food . While the others sat on fallen timber or leaned against tree trunks , Ross and Sol talked in low tones , but Henry could see that all their words were marked by the deepest earnestness . Ross presently turned to the men and said in tones of greatest gravity : `` All of you heard the howlin ' just afore dawn , an ' I guess all of you know it was not made by real wolves , but by Shawnees , callin ' to each other an ' directin ' the chase of us . We 've come fast , but they 've come faster , an ' I know that by noon we 'll have to fight . '' The schoolmaster 's eyes opened in wonder . `` Do you really mean to say that they are overhauling us ? '' he asked .