noon
Upon request of Appleton and Sheridan , two of the road 's heaviest lumber shippers , a private car had been coupled to the rear of the Imperial Limited at Winnipeg . Later the big train hesitated at Hilarity long enough to permit a half-breed guide in full hunting regalia to step proudly aboard , to the envy of the dead little town 's assembled inhabitants . And later still the Limited stopped at Creighton and shunted the private car onto a spur . Appleton promptly impressed one of his own tote-wagons which had been sent to town for supplies ; and before noon the four-horse team was swung into the tote-road carrying the hunting party into the woods . Tents , blankets , and robes had been ranged into more or less comfortable seats for the accommodation of the party , while young Charlie Manton insisted upon climbing onto the high driver 's seat , where he wedged himself uncomfortably between the teamster and Blood River Jack , the guide . From the time the latter had joined the party at Hilarity the boy had stuck close to his side , asking innumerable questions and listening with bated breath to the half-breed 's highly colored narratives in which wolves , bears , and Indians played the important parts . In the evening , when they camped beside the tote-road , and he was permitted to help with the tents and the fire-wood , the youngster fairly bristled with importance , and after supper when the whole party drew about the great camp-fire the boy seated himself close by the side of the guide .