the midday sun
`` That is wonderful indeed , '' replied Alec , `` but the cleverness with which the wolves tried to get ahead of me by cutting across the necks of land in the river , and their other deviltries , are what I will never forget . '' Here this most interesting conversation was ended by the arrival of Paulette and Mustagan , with the word that the melting snow had exposed the houses of the muskrats , and that they were off on a hunting excursion to a great pondlike swamp where these animals were known to be very numerous . At once it was decided that a party would be made up to join them at a designated spot in the forest on the edge of this great swamp . The distance was between twenty and thirty miles , and as the greater part of the route would be on the ice , it was decided not to start until the chill of the evening had hardened the snow , which now nearly every day softened in the midday sun . Travelling with dog-trains in half-melted snow , or even when it is just soft enough to stick , is very heavy , laborious work . However , as soon as the sun ceases to shine upon it , at this season , it hardens up again very quickly . Arrangements were made for a three or four days ' trip , so a regular camp outfit was taken along on the dog-sleds .