noon
The scout rushed over to the place , and all followed . The ground about plainly showed the evidences of the struggle where George 's captors fought for the possession of the watch . The trail was beginning to get warm . It was readily followed for several miles , and then disappeared , but after patient hunting it came to light , and shortly after noon the spot was reached where the Chief came on the scene , and the appearance of the ground indicated that there must have been a large number in the party . Here was an occasion where one great quality of many savage tribes stands out so prominently , and that is in determining the number of their enemies by the foot prints . Hundreds of imprints on the soil , crossing and recrossing each other , will to the untrained seem a hopeless riddle . On one occasion on Wonder Island , John stated that one of a party they were trailing , was wounded in one of his legs .