noon
`` Yes , I thought so , '' said Malachi . `` They have had their canoe all ready , and have crossed the water ; now , we must walk quite round the lake to discover the trail again , and that will give them half a day 's start of us . '' They immediately set off coasting the shore of the lake , until they arrived at the other side , carefully examining the ground as they went . This took them till noon , by which time they had arrived at that part of the lake which was opposite to the large rock behind which they had kindled their fire the night before ; but no traces were to be perceived . `` They have not crossed over in a straight line , '' said Captain Sinclair , `` that is evident ; we must now try more to the northward . '' This they did ; and at last discovered that the canoe had crossed over to the north point of the lake , having coasted along the eastern shore the whole way . The spot of landing was very evident , and for some distance they could trace where the canoe had been hauled up .