noon
The next instant she was gone . `` What did she say ? '' asked Shad . `` She were sayin ' , '' explained Bob , `` that if we has patience an ' waits she 'll be back by noon to-morrow , or thereabouts . An ' she says if we waits here we 'll be safe , but we could n't be makin ' a footin ' on th ' rock . She 's thinkin ' o ' some way o ' gettin ' us off , but I 'm not knowin ' what 't is , now . '' None of the three trappers had ever penetrated the region lying between the Big Hill trail and the river .