noon
Enough of the turkey , slain on the day before , remained to give each a sufficient meal , and with cheerful spirits upon the part of all , the three again took up their march through the wilderness . The route which the information of the countryman led the hunter to adopt was such that he expected to reach the settlement in the course of the afternoon . It will thus be seen that it was a very circuitous one -- they , in fact , being already several miles north of their destination . As yet , the eagle eye of the hunter had discovered no danger , and their march was continued without interruption until noon , when they halted for a few minutes ' rest . `` If you haint no ` bjection , I 'll try a shot with your gun , '' said Zeke Hunt , `` bein ' as you thought I could n't shoot any . '' `` I 'd rather not have my rifle fired at present , youngster , as ears that we do n't fancy might hear it . '' `` You 're only afeard I might beat you , that 's all . ''