noon
`` I think that 's the best thing we can do , '' panted Leander ; '' 'cause if all hands of us has to start out many times like this , some of the boys will come up while we 're off , an ' pull the tent down . '' `` We can tie him in the tent , and have him for a wild man of Borneo , '' suggested Joe . `` I guess we wo n't train him , '' replied Toby , rather sorry to deprive his pet of the pleasure of being one of the performers , and yet fearing the trouble he would cause if they should try to make anything more than an ordinary monkey out of him . The pursuit had led the boys farther from home than they had imagined , and it was noon when , weary and hungry , they arrived at the tent , where they found the other party , who had given up the search some time before . They had travelled through the woods without hearing or seeing anything of the runaway , and had returned in the hope that the others had been more successful . Leaving Mr. Stubbs 's brother in charge of the partners , who , it was safe to say , would now take very good care to prevent his escape , Toby hurried into the house to see Abner . The sick boy was no better , Aunt Olive said , neither did he appear to be any worse -- he was sleeping then ; and , after eating some of his dinner at the table , and taking the remainder in his hands , Toby went out to the tent again .