noon
Whilst many parties were content to wait for the steamer 's arrival , others , less patient , were preparing to `` make out '' up the river and lakes and over the Chilcoot . She began to put out a few furtive inquiries , and secured the names of several men who were preparing for immediate departure . She was wise enough to take a look at these worthies before committing herself to their charge , and most of them did not please her . Wandering in the back areas at noon , she noticed a rough shack bearing an obviously new announcement `` For Sale . '' Already a queue of prospective purchasers was lining up . When the owner -- a sallow man of about fifty -- appeared , he was besieged . The shack was sold in a few minutes to the highest bidder .