noon
`` It is enough , '' said Roka joyfully . `` Now they will come in great force on their snowshoes , and we will be saved with our huge prize . '' They waited in the utmost confidence and at times Pehansan sent up the two rings again to guide the relief band . But the people from the village had a long distance to travel , and it was noon when they saw the dark figures among the undergrowth and hailed them with joyous cries . At least thirty had come , a few young warriors -- there were few in the village -- but mostly old men , and the dauntless , wiry old squaws . They exclaimed in wonder and admiration over the mighty beast the three had killed , and among the bushes about the campfire they found great skeletons , all eaten clean by the huge mountain wolves . `` Truly you were saved by fire , '' said old Xingudan , who had himself headed the relieving party .