noon
Before noon they were both utterly fatigued . They dragged forward through the slush , lifting their laden feet sluggishly . They must keep going , and they did , but it seemed to them that every step must be the last . Shortly after noon the storm wore itself out . The temperature had been steadily falling and now it took a rapid drop . They were passing through timber , and on a little slope they built with a good deal of difficulty a fire . By careful nursing they soon had a great bonfire going , in front of which they put their wet socks , mukluks , scarfs , and parkas to dry .