noon
The two boys occupied the rear sled with one of the bundles , while Gus Schmidt did the driving from the other sled and carried the rest of the traps . On and on they went , mile after mile , the German driving the dogs with great skill . They passed over hill after hill , and over vast expanses of ice and snow . At noon they rested half an hour for lunch . Tom tried to stand up , but was too weak . `` It 's no use , Dick , '' he said . `` I 'm about as strong as a bowl of mush !