noon
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 . In a moment more he had placed Bouche at the head of the first team of dogs . They were to have their leader too . Punctually at noon , Hume shook hands with the factor , said a quick good-bye to the rest , called out a friendly `` How ! '' to the Indians standing near , and to the sound of a hearty cheer , heartier perhaps because none had a confident hope that the five would come back , the march of the White Guard began . It was eighteen days after . In the shadow of a little island of pines , that lies in a shivering waste of ice and snow , the White Guard were camped .