About noon
Within an hour they had passed through the pines and poplars fringing the river and had reached the summit of a `` hog-back '' range of hills beyond which there was known to be a little valley running at right angles to the course of the river . When the four travelers reached the top of the `` hog-back '' and saw the frozen snow-covered valley before them , like children out for a lark , Philip no less active than the others , they coasted into the valley . Until the sun was high above them they made their way along the frozen creek toward the head of the wide defile . About noon , camp was made , tea was brewed and , partly behind the protection of a little frozen waterfall , bannock and cold meat were added to the hot tea . No time was lost in cooking . With faces and ears protected by their heavy caps , and with heavy mittens to guard their fingers against frost bite , not one of the party complained of the intense cold . `` It 's all right , '' explained Philip , `` unless the wind comes up , and if it does we 'll have to go into camp . ''