noon
And not only was he compelled to do the work of four men on the trail , but his camp work was more than doubled . For Squigg had to be fed forcibly , and each morning he had to be lashed to the sled , where he lay all day , howling , and laughing , and shrieking . At night he had to be unloaded and tended like a baby , and then put to bed where he would laugh and scream , the whole night through or else lie and whimper and pule like a beast in pain . On the fifth day they came suddenly upon the noon camp of the party from Fort Norman , and before Connie could recognize the big man in the uniform of an Inspector of the Mounted he was swung by strong arms clear of the ground . The next moment he was sobbing excitedly and pounding the shoulders of Big Dan McKeever with both his fists in an effort to break the bear-like embrace . `` Why , you doggone little _ tillicum _ ! '' roared the man , `` I know 'd you 'd do it !