noon
Stanley had a double-barrelled flint fowling-piece ; and Frank had a rifle , besides a single gun of a description somewhat finer than that supplied to the Indians . Of course each man carried a scalping-knife and an axe in his belt , not for the purpose of self-defence , but for carving their food and cutting their fuel . It may be well to remark here that the goods and provisions which we have detailed above were merely intended as a supply for their immediate necessities , and to enable them to commence active operations at once on arriving at their destination , while the heavy stores and goods necessary for the year 's trade were to be forwarded in a small sloop from the depot direct through Hudson 's Straits to Ungava Bay . When the work of unpacking and exposing the things to dry in the sun was accomplished , it was long past noon , and high time for dinner ; so a fire was lighted by Bryan , who cut up another portion of Frank 's canoe for the purpose . A rasher of pork and a flour cake were disposed of by each of the party in a surprisingly short time , and then the men bestirred themselves in mending the canoes . This was a more troublesome job than they expected , but being accustomed not only to mend but to make canoes , they worked with a degree of skill and diligence that speedily put all to rights . In Massan 's canoe there was a hole large enough , as Bryan remarked , to stick his head through , though it was a `` big wan , an ' no mistake . ''