noon
They made this frugal repast with delight , from the remembrance of the benevolent action they had performed in the morning : yet their joy was embittered by the thoughts of that uneasiness which their long absence would give their mothers . Virginia often recurred to this subject : but Paul , who felt his strength renewed by their meal , assured her that it would not be long before they reached home . `` After dinner they recollected that they had no guide , and that they were ignorant of the way . Paul , whose spirit was not subdued by difficulties , said to Virginia , ` The sun shines full upon our huts at noon : we must pass as we did this morning , over that mountain with its three points , which you see yonder . Come , let us go . ' This mountain is called the Three Peaks . Paul and Virginia descended the precipice of the Black River , on the northern side ; and arrived , after an hour 's walk , on the banks of a large stream .