midnight
The whole party left Sagasta-weekee about sundown , and as it was a crisp , cold , beautiful moonlight night , everybody enjoyed the trip exceedingly . The boys , however , could not help remarking the great change in the temperature from midday . Then the sun was so hot that the snow was melting at a marvellous rate ; now everything was as hard and firm as though it were still January . Through the portages and over the frozen ice expanses they hurried , and some time before midnight they reached a splendid camp already prepared for them by Paulette and Mustagan . A great roaring fire looked very attractive to all , even to the boys , as they had become quite accustomed to these wintry resting places when the heavy day 's work was done . Kettles were quickly filled and a late supper was eaten , and then all lay down to sleep . Nothing disturbed their rest except the distant mournful screeches of the wild cats and some other wild animals , that were already , now that spring was coming , like themselves , on the lookout for muskrats .