noon
The gliding of the sled across the snow , and the padding footsteps of the huskies , thundered down the tunnel of the river through the pines like the galloping of heavy artillery over gravel . When , at rare intervals , the river cracked , perhaps four or five miles away , it reverberated through the tree-tops , causing their burden of snow to tremble and glisten , like the report of neighbouring cannon . Every whisper was exaggerated to a shout , so that the ears were deafened and longed for quiet -- quiet which , unlike silence , consisted of a multitude of small sounds singing , almost inaudibly , together . Shortly after noon the light faded , and the blinding whiteness was converted into iron grey . Over to the westward the sun was hidden , and the horizon became threatening with a leaden bank of cloud . The temperature sank lower and the twilight was obliterated ; night rushed down . The dogs were now thoroughly worn out ; only by continual lashing could he keep them to their work .