noon
Though almost overpowered with the desire to sleep , the dread of falling into their midst kept me awake . Hour after hour passed by . In vain I looked out for my companions ; no signs of them could I discover , though I climbed to the highest part of the tree , nor could I anywhere see the smoke of their fire . It was already past noon , when I caught sight of a solitary deer making its way across the open pine-barren . One of the wolves must have seen it too , for the brute , giving a peculiar cry , set off , followed by the whole pack . The deer saw them coming , and endeavoured to increase its speed ; but it was , I suspect , wounded , perhaps by one of my friends , thus giving me hopes that I might before long fall in with them . As soon as the wolves disappeared I descended the tree ; and feeling desperately hungry , I lost no time in collecting sticks , which I could now easily do , and lighting a fire , aided by some rotten wood which I found in a hollow trunk near at hand .