midday
`` I ca n't understand the judge 's allowing it . Can it be possible that he has sent you -- on business ? Why -- ! A man is n't safe on this part of the Wilderness Road at night , and hardly at midday , alone . For a child like you -- '' There it was again , like a blow on a bruise ! The boy instantly sat higher in the saddle , trying to look as tall as he could , and forgetting that no one could see . And replying hastily in his deepest , most manly voice , he said scornfully , that there was nothing to be afraid of with his rifle across the saddle-bow , declaring proudly that he knew how to deal with wild beasts , should any cross his path .