noon
Here Jeff Hyde said : `` It is n't for reward we 're doin ' it , Mr. Field , but because Mr. Hume wished it , because we believed he 'd lead us ; and for the lost fellow 's wife . We would n't have said we 'd do it , if it was n't for him that 's just called us the White Guard . '' Under the bronze of the sub-factor 's face there spread a glow more red than brown , and he said simply : `` Thank you , men '' -- for they had all nodded assent to Jeff Hyde 's words -- `` come with me to the store . We will start at noon . '' At noon the White Guard stood in front of the store on which the British flag was hoisted with another beneath it bearing the magic letters , H.B.C. : magic , because they opened to the world regions that seemed destined never to know the touch of civilisation . The few inhabitants of the fort were gathered at the store ; the dogs and loaded sleds were at the door . It wanted but two minutes to twelve when Hume came from his house , dressed also in the white blanket costume , and followed by his dog , Bouche .