nearly
midday
After his dreams had been dissipated he cared no more for slumber . When he could venture it without disturbing his companions , he rose to a sitting posture , and , after squatting for a while in meditation , got on his feet , picked up his coat and moccasins , and , stealthily as an Indian , crept out of the hut . The rolling music among the pine-tops had died down ; only at long intervals a soft , random rustle swept through them . It was nearly midday . The camp-fire was almost dead , quenched by the dazzling sunlight which fell in patches on the camping-ground , and flooded the clearing beyond the shadow of the pines . Moreover , the camping-ground was deserted . Neither Uncle Eb nor Tiger could be seen , though Dol 's eyes sought for them wistfully .