midday
In addition to their guns the boys were each supplied with a long , lancelike barbed spear for effective use when securing the muskrats . Two or three Indians were taken along by Mr Ross , who remarked to the boys , when he decided to accompany them himself , that perhaps this was the last hunting trip of the season with the dogs , with perhaps the exception of the one to the goose hunt , which would not be long distant . The whole party left Sagasta-weekee about sundown , and as it was a crisp , cold , beautiful moonlight night , everybody enjoyed the trip exceedingly . The boys , however , could not help remarking the great change in the temperature from midday . Then the sun was so hot that the snow was melting at a marvellous rate ; now everything was as hard and firm as though it were still January . Through the portages and over the frozen ice expanses they hurried , and some time before midnight they reached a splendid camp already prepared for them by Paulette and Mustagan . A great roaring fire looked very attractive to all , even to the boys , as they had become quite accustomed to these wintry resting places when the heavy day 's work was done .