noon
The dominant , fighting figure in the Northwest , he trod his sturdy way through opposition like a Colossus . Nor did she any longer have any illusions about him . He could be both ruthless and unscrupulous when it suited his purpose . As the day wore toward noon , her spirits drooped . She was tired physically , and this reacted upon her courage . The warmer weather was spoiling the trail . It became so soft and mushy that though snowshoes were needed , they could not be worn on account of the heavy snow which clung to them every time a foot was lifted .