noon
If by chance any one ever should find the body -- which seemed a quite improbable happening -- Bob 's death would no doubt be laid at the door of the Nascaupee Indians . Micmac John deposited the bag of stolen pelts in a safe place in the tilt , intending to return for them after his bloody mission was accomplished , and several hours before daylight on Monday morning started out in the ghostly moonlight to trail Bob to his death . The trail that Bob had made lay open and well-defined in the snow , and hour after hour the half-breed followed it , like a hound follows its prey . Early in the morning the sky clouded heavily and towards noon snow began to fall . It was a bitterly cold day . Micmac John increased his pace for the trail would soon be hidden and he was not quite sure when he should find the camp . From the lakes the trail turned directly north and for several miles ran through a flat , wooded country .