nearly noon
`` Maybe , maybe , '' acknowledged the other ; `` but borrowing trouble , and then figuring out how you 're going to meet it if it comes to you in good earnest , is mighty good woodcraft . '' `` Sam , '' burst out Dick , whose attention had been caught by a word in his companion 's first speech , and whose mind had been running on it throughout the ensuing discussion , `` did you notice that girl ? She 's a tearing little beauty ! '' By now it was nearly noon . The travellers carried the packs they had made up down to the water-side where the canoe lay . Although the Indians would not get under way until the following morning , it had been decided to push on at once , thus avoiding the confusion of a crowded start . In the course of the morning 's business the news of their expedition had noised abroad .