noon
On the night of the fifth day out , another change of temperature took place . A thermometer , had they carried one , would probably have registered from ten to twenty below zero of Fahrenheit . This , however , was so familiar to them that they rather liked the change , and heaped up fresh logs on the roaring fire to counteract the cold ; but when a breeze sprang up and began to blow hard , they did not enjoy it so much , and when the breeze increased to a gale , it became serious ; for one can not face intense cold during a gale without the risk of being frost-bitten . In the shelter of the woods it was all right , but when , towards noon , they came out on an extended plain where the wild winds were whirling the wilder snow in blinding drifts , they halted and looked inquiringly at each other . `` Shall we try it ? '' asked Macnab . The Indian shook his head and looked solemn .