noon
We 'll ask every party we meet , and perhaps in that way we can strike the right man . '' During the morning they came upon several parties making the rounds of the Wonderland along the beaten channels . Sometimes women were in the company , for the strange sights that awaited the bold spirit capable of enduring ordinary fatigue tempted others besides men to undertake one of the trips . Just at noon the two boys came upon a lone Chinaman sitting at a little fire he had kindled , cooking a fish , evidently pulled from the river by means of a hook and line . `` Well , what do you think ! '' exclaimed Frank , as he stared at the Oriental ; `` Bob , do n't you recognize that cousin of our ranch cook , Ah Sin , the same fellow who was down at our place five months ago ? Hello !