noon
The fact that two of his own shots had taken good effect filled the white youth with enthusiasm , and he was still gesticulating excitedly in describing the bull 's flight to Wabi when the old Indian came over the hill , grinning broadly , and holding up for their inspection a magnificent mink . The day could not have begun more auspiciously for the hunters , and by the time Mukoki was ready to leave upon his long trail the adventurers were in buoyant spirits , the distressing fears of the preceding night being somewhat dispelled by their present good fortune and the glorious day which now broke in full splendor upon the wilderness . Until their early dinner Wabi remained in camp , securing certain parts of the moose and assisting Rod in putting the cabin into a state of defense according to their previous plans . It was not yet noon when he started over Mukoki 's trap-line . Left to his own uninterrupted thoughts , Rod 's mind was once more absorbed in his scheme of exploring the mysterious chasm . He had noticed during his inspection from the top of the ridge that the winter snows had as yet fallen but little in the gloomy gulch between the mountains , and he was eager to attempt his adventure before other snows came or the fierce blizzards of December filled the chasm with drifts . Later in the afternoon he brought forth the buckskin bag from a niche in the log wall where it had been concealed , and one after another carefully examined the golden nuggets .