noon
With that he bounded lightly past them , and loped off with an even , swinging stride . `` What did he mean ? '' asked Jim , almost sure he had not heard the runner aright . `` He meant that a party of white men are approaching , and will be here by noon . I never knew an Indian runner to carry unreliable information . We have joyful news , both in regard to your brother , and the Village of Peace . Let us go in to tell the others . ''