the hours before noon
In a cleared space the half-grown boys began to play ball with the earnestness and vigor the Indians always showed in the game . The men , full and content , sat on their blankets and looked on . Thus the morning passed . In the hours before noon Henry did not chafe . He rather enjoyed the rest ; but in the latter half of the day he grew impatient . He longed to be up and away again , but there would be no chance to leave until night , and he forced himself to lie still . He yet had no fear that any one would come into the council room .