spring noon
She passed out of the room at once . Her meal was awaiting her , a rough , plain meal prepared by the squaw of Little One Man . She partook of it in the kitchen , the long , dark old hallplace that had probably served as some sort of barracks for the disreputable pirates of centuries ago . She ate with a healthy appetite , and some half hour later quit the shadows of the gloomy fort for the bright sunlight of a spring noon . The hour of her departure was nearing , and Keeko glanced down at the landing . Her canoes lay there at their moorings , but -- Her orders had been disobeyed ! The canoes were deserted .