noon
They had ridden far up Bear Canyon , miles beyond the farthest bear-trap , to the Forest Ranger 's cabin . The trail was wilder than six of them had ever imagined a trail could be . Sometimes it was almost obliterated , but the blaze of the rangers with its U.S. brand told them that human beings had traversed it , and that they might safely follow . At noon they had reached the cabin -- a lonely eyrie looking down into the gorge of the river . Behind it unbroken forests stretched for miles . The ranger was away upon his beat , but his door stood hospitably open , and they had gladly entered , sure that a welcome was intended . In his little kitchen they had eaten dinner , leaving some of their bacon as a gift .