noon
`` Mebby ! '' grunted the old pathfinder from behind . Rod 's optimism was vindicated for that day , at least . Until noon the canoe sped swiftly down the chasm without mishap . The stream , to which each mile added its contribution of flood water from the mountain tops , increased constantly in width and depth , but only now and then was there a rock to threaten their progress , and no driftwood at all . When the gold seekers landed for dinner they were confident of two things : that they had passed far beyond the mad hunter 's reach , and were very near to the first waterfall . Memory of the thrilling experiences through which they had so recently run the gauntlet was replaced by the most exciting anticipation of the sound and sight of that first waterfall , which was so vitally associated with their search for the lost treasure .