midday
`` Soon it will be summer here . '' Labiskwee 's face had grown thin , but the bright , large eyes were brighter and larger , and when she looked at him she was transfigured by a wild , unearthly beauty . The days lengthened , and the snow began to sink . Each day the crust thawed , each night it froze again ; and they were afoot early and late , being compelled to camp and rest during the midday hours of thaw when the crust could not bear their weight . When Smoke grew snow-blind , Labiskwee towed him on a thong tied to her waist . And when she was so blinded , she towed behind a thong to his waist . And starving , in a deeper dream , they struggled on through an awakening land bare of any life save their own .