midday
Then , he put his ear to the ground , to listen . He thought he could distinguish a voice , and so he began to run and shout again . But he heard nothing more and sat down , worn out and in despair . Toward midday he breakfasted and gave Sam , who was as tired as himself , something to eat also ; then he recommenced his search . When evening came he was still walking , having traveled more than thirty miles over the mountains . As he was too far away to return home , and too tired to drag himself along any further , he dug a hole in the snow and crouched in it with his dog , under a blanket which he had brought with him . The man and the dog lay side by side , warming themselves one against the other , but frozen to the marrow , nevertheless .