noon
Josh was dandling baby sister on his lap as he told of his trip , and he learned of two things of interest : First , the bank must have its money by February ; second , the stable at Gardiner wanted a driver for the Cook City stage . Then the little events moved quickly . His half-formed plan of getting back to the Canyon was now frustrated by the new opening , and , besides this , hope had been dampened by the casual word of one who reported that `` that Silver Fox had not been seen since at the Canyon . '' Then began long days of dreary driving through the snow , with a noon halt at Yancey 's and then three days later the return , in the cold , the biting cold . It was freezing work , but coldest of all was the chill thought at his heart that February 1st would see him homeless . -LSB- Illustration -RSB- Small bands of Mountain Sheep he saw at times on the slope of Evarts , and a few Blacktail , and later , when the winter deepened , huge bull Elk were seen along the trail . Sometimes they moved not more than a few paces to let him pass .