noon
It was balm to his wounds in his self-esteem . Early the following morning , he started for Meadow Creek , and at the upper camp learned something for which he was unprepared and which was a source of temporary satisfaction to him . Leslie had disappeared . Until noon Ross lingered in camp watching the sheriff and Sandy pass and repass in their search for the runaway . Finally , just before noon , he saw them on snow-shoes striking out up Wood River cañon into the uninhabited wilderness beyond . Then he slowly mounted the dizzy trail leading to Weimer 's shack and the interrupted work . `` It must have been my note that warned him , '' Ross thought as he watched the figures toiling up Wood River cañon .