noon
`` And do you intend to do so ? '' `` I shall do my best , '' replied Charley ; `` but I can not get him out of the way till to-morrow , as there is to be a gathering of Indians in the hall this very day , to have a palaver with Mr. Whyte about their grievances , and Misconna would n't miss that for a trifle . But Jacques wo n't be likely to recognise him among so many ; and if he does , I rely with confidence on his powers of restraint and forbearance . By the way , '' he continued , glancing upwards , `` it is past noon , and the Indians will have begun to assemble , so we had better hasten back , as we shall be expected to help in keeping order . '' So saying , he rose , and the young men returned to the fort . On reaching it they found the hall crowded with natives , who sat cross-legged around the walls , or stood in groups conversing in low tones , and to judge from the expression of their dark eyes and lowering brows , they were in extremely bad humour . They became silent and more respectful , however , in their demeanour when the young men entered the apartment and walked up to the fireplace , in which a small fire of wood burned on the hearth , more as a convenient means of rekindling the pipes of the Indians when they went out than as a means of heating the place .