noon
An hour later , he came upon a hollow tree , filled with doty wood which he could tear out with his hands and he built a fire and broiled a little more bacon . Jack got only a bit this time and barked reproachfully for more ; but Chad shook his head and the dog started out , with both eyes open , to look for his own food . The sun was high enough now to make the drenched world flash like an emerald and its warmth felt good , as Chad tramped the topmost edge of Pine Mountain , where the brush was not thick and where , indeed , he often found a path running a short way and turning into some ravine -- the trail of cattle and sheep and the pathway between one little valley settlement and another . He must have made ten miles and more by noon -- for he was a sturdy walker and as tireless almost as Jack -- and ten miles is a long way in the mountains , even now . So , already , Chad was far enough away to have no fear of pursuit , even if old Nathan wanted him back , which was doubtful . On the top of the next point , Jack treed a squirrel and Chad took a rest and brought him down , shot through the head and , then and there , skinned and cooked him and divided with Jack squarely . `` Jack , '' he said , as he reloaded his gun , `` we ca n't keep this up much longer .