noon
As the sun rose and the day grew warm Pierre let the child walk by his side ; but the tender little feet were not used to such work , and almost immediately she cried to be taken up again . On this Pierre improvised her a clumsy pair of moccasins , made of strips of his blanket . These the little one regarded at first with lofty contempt , but when she found they enabled her to run by her protector 's side she was delighted . It was necessary to stop often and rest long , so our travelers made slow progress ; but at noon , climbing a bluff which overlooked the river for miles in either direction , Pierre was delighted to find himself within two or three miles of the mouth . He marked , moreover , a short cut by which , taking advantage of the curve in the main river , he could cut off five or six miles and strike the banks of the Piziquid without difficulty or risk . `` By this time to-morrow , if all goes well , we 'll be safe in Piziquid , chérie ! '' he cried joyously to the child , who responded with a mirthful stream of babble .