midday
Although the boys , and Basil in particular , would have suffered much before sacrificing him , yet starvation will reconcile a man to part with his best friend . In spite of their friendship for Marengo , his masters could not help scanning him from time to time with hungry looks . Marengo was an old dog , and , no doubt , as tough as a piece of tan-leather ; but their appetites were made up for anything . It was near midday . They had started early , as on the day before . They were trudging wearily along , and making but little progress . Marengo was struggling with his sledge , feeble as any of the party .