about noon
The girls sat on the after deck , under a wide-spread awning , and chatted of the sights they saw . They emerged into Lake Chad , skirted its shores and swept into the river beyond . They passed several other power craft and one or two houseboats in which were gay parties . At the suggestion of Tom , they decided to go up a little side stream to where he said was a pleasant place to eat lunch , and this they reached about noon . `` Now , if you girls want to walk about and see what there is to be seen , '' he told them , `` I 'll get out the victuals and set the table on the grass under that tree , '' and he indicated it . `` I 'll call you when I 'm ready . '' Betty and her chums assented , and Tom proceeded to set out the luncheon .