midnight
Men had cared for his dogs . The girl had brought him hot tea . In the corner of the fire they two had whispered one to the other -- the already grizzled traveller of the silent land , the fresh , brave north-maiden . At midnight , their parkas drawn close about their faces in the fearful cold , they had met outside the inclosure of the Post . An hour later they were away under the aurora for Qu'Apelle . Galen Albret 's nostrils expanded as he heard the _ crack , crack , crack _ of the remorseless dog-whip whose sting drew him away from the vain pursuit . After the marriage at Qu'Apelle they had gone a weary journey to Rae , and there he had first seen Graehme Stewart .