noon
Then , too , the soft earth that had revealed the hoof tracks ought to have shown the imprint of moccasins . You will see , therefore , that Fred could speculate for hours on the question without satisfying himself . He was sorry that he and Terry had not brought their guns with them , and was half inclined to go back . It was not yet noon , and they had plenty of time in which to do so . `` Terry , '' said Fred , turning suddenly about and addressing his friend , who was walking behind him , `` we made a mistake in not bringing our guns . '' The Irish lad was about to answer when he raised his hand in a warning way and said : `` Hist ! '' Both stood as motionless as the tree trunks about them , all their faculties centered in the one of hearing .