midday
The wolves were now more open in their pursuit , trotting sedately behind and ranging along on either side , their red tongues lolling out , their lean sides showing the undulating ribs with every movement . They were very lean , mere skin-bags stretched over bony frames , with strings for muscles -- so lean that Henry found it in his mind to marvel that they still kept their feet and did not collapse forthright in the snow . He did not dare travel until dark . At midday , not only did the sun warm the southern horizon , but it even thrust its upper rim , pale and golden , above the sky-line . He received it as a sign . The days were growing longer . The sun was returning .