Noon
A house or two , with barn looming largely in the rear , and spidery fencing , stretching in rectangular directions , suggested homesteads ; the barking of dogs -- life . These signs of habitation continued , and became now more frequent , and now , again , more rare . The hills increased in size and the bush thickened . Noon saw the traveller in an `` up-and-down '' country intersected by icebound streams and snow-laden hollows . The timber became more heavy , great pine trees dominating the more stunted growths , and darkening the outlook by reason of their more generous vegetation . On the eastern extremity of this belt of country stood the school-house of Leonville ; beyond that the undulating prairie again on to Loon Dyke Farm . Leslie Grey looked at his watch ; the hands indicated a near approach to the hour of one .