5 o'clock
I will hunt up our patrol and will help you search for him . If you will go back and start from the point where you searched before we will take up the scout from here and keep on until we find him , or we join forces again , unless you have something better to propose . '' `` I do n't think there is any better way , '' said Rand , with which the others agreed , and thanking him for his offer , the Uncas boys , now thoroughly alarmed , set out again upon the search . It was 5 o'clock when they got back to Creston , searching on the way , and Pepper had not returned , or trace of him found . `` What shall we do next ? '' asked Jack , as they stood undecided in the road . `` What is it now ? ''