midday
He knew that the meat can be jerked by the fire as well as by the sun , and this plan he at once put into operation . Having gathered a large quantity of fagots , he kindled them into a fire , and then hung the beef upon scaffolds all around it -- near enough to be submitted to the heat and smoke , but not so near as that the meat should be either broiled or burnt . When it should hang thus exposed to the fire for a day or so , Ossaroo assured his companions it would be cured and dried so as to keep for months without requiring a pinch of salt . The skinning of the yak , and then cutting its flesh into strips -- the erection of the scaffold-poles , and stringing up of the meat , occupied all hands for the space of several hours , so that when the job was finished it was past midday . Dinner had then to be cooked and eaten , which occupied nearly another hour ; and although it was not yet quite nightfall , they were all so sleepy from their long vigil , and so tired with standing upon the ledge , that they were glad to stretch themselves by the fire and go to rest . The cold air , as evening approached , caused them to shiver ; and now for the first time they began to think of their blankets , and other matters which they had left at their last camp . But they only thought of them with a sigh .