six o'clock
But in the morning , Ross , objecting to a process which brought the meat into contact with the dirty logs , stretched a cord between two trees , and over it , in the sunshine , folded the strips clothespin fashion , leaving them for the air to cure and dry . For two or three days the McKenzies did not visit their neighbors . Ross saw them outside their shack occasionally , and something in the air and attitudes spoke , even at that distance , of disagreement . One evening at six o'clock Weimer stumbled out of the tunnel alone and down the path , the darkness robbing the snow of its terrors . A few moments later , Ross , having laid the dry sticks in the drilled holes in the end wall of the tunnel , lighted the fuses , and , candle in hand , made for the mouth . He came out on Lon Weston sitting on a stump which projected above the dump . `` Hello , Doc , '' greeted Lon Weston .