about noon
Then the harness was adjusted , the sleds looked to and the start made . Though the dogs were capable of great speed and endurance , even while pulling the heavy sleds , which each contained a load of over four hundred pounds , Mr. Baxter had given orders that the animals were not to be driven to their utmost . He wanted to be sure of reaching his destination and getting back . It was about noon when , having passed through a gloomy stretch of woodland , they came out on a vast , level snow-plain which seemed to stretch away for many miles . At the farther end was a low range of mountains . `` Those are the mountains we are headed for , '' said Mr. Baxter in a low voice to the two boys . `` There is where we will begin to search . ''