about four o'clock in the afternoon
As the weather promised to keep cold , they determined to stay there , feeling that if the spring should come with a rush that they would be able to get down to Escoumains , as it was only a week 's journey distant . `` They therefore set their traps and went methodically about their business of gathering in the furry harvest made profitable to them through the desires of ` My Lady ' in the large cities , whose fair necks must be covered and protected from even the cold autumn 's breath . One fine day Joe set out to make the round of the traps . He had good luck and was going home about four o'clock in the afternoon , laden with two foxes and four rabbits . Joe was hurrying on , for there was no moon and the shades of night fall very early in these latitudes even in March . They had heard a wolf occasionally , but had felt no fear of them , so that when Joe heard the long-drawn note , he did not give it even a thought . He was intent on getting back before nightfall , so he failed to note that the howls were rapidly approaching .