minutes after noon
`` We do n't want to go too far . '' `` We wo n't , '' promised Will . They got an early start , and took some food with them , intending to stay until afternoon . Though they did not plan to sail far , it was so glorious , once they started to glide along , that there was a temptation to continue , and when , by consulting her watch , Mollie discovered it to be some minutes after noon , they were many miles from camp . `` Oh , we must stop ! '' she exclaimed . `` The wind may die out and we ca n't get back ! ''