noon
said Giant . `` He may prowl around at night , '' suggested Shep . `` And , remember , he may not have the watch at all -- it 's all guesswork . '' It was an exceedingly warm day , and when it was near noon all three of the young hunters were glad enough to lie down in the shade and rest . Game appeared to be as scarce as the day before and all they shot were some rabbits and one squirrel . `` We 've got to do better than this before we go home , '' said Shep . `` If we only knew what had become of that bear ! ''