daylight of noon
His dogs , also , were in much the same condition with himself , -- growing thin , and becoming less lively . Clambering to the top of a hummock , he surveyed the prospect before him . It was not cheering . The faint daylight of noon was spreading over the frozen sea , bringing the tops of the larger bergs out into bold relief against the steel-blue sky , and covering the jumble of lumps and hummocks with a cold grey light . Despite his resolute purpose the poor man sat down on a lump of ice , buried his face in his hands , and meditated . `` Can it be , '' he thought , `` that the Great Manitou knows my grief and does not care ? Surely that can not be .