midday
With frosty weather and less food they roused from their lethargy . Then it was that they became savage , snapping creatures , with no more affection for man than has the wild wolf , which was their ancestor . Long Tom Ham declared that Skipper Zeb 's dogs were the most `` oncivil team of dogs he ever knew . '' Toby and Charley , a week after the big storm , were returning home at midday after a morning in the forest setting marten traps , when , just as they came around the corner of the cabin , and the bay below them came into view , Toby exclaimed : `` There 's Skipper Tom comin ' with the dogs and komatik ! '' -LSB- 6 -RSB- For the first time in his life Charley saw dogs in harness . They were still a half mile away , the animals spread out in fan-shaped formation , and trotting leisurely . As they approached nearer the cabin they broke into a run , as though eager to reach their destination , and with short yelps swung off of the ice and came charging up to the cabin where Charley and Toby were awaiting them .