noon
Fish should be abundant , however , and they took a steel rod with a varied stock of artificial flies and minnow-baits . It was warm weather , almost summery , when they took the northbound express in Toronto ; but when Fred opened the car window the next morning , a biting cold air rushed in . Rough spruce woods lined the track , and here and there he saw patches of snow . It was almost noon when they got off at the station that was a favorite starting-point for prospectors . Here they had to spend two days , for Horace wished to engage Indian packers to help them portage over the Height of Land . As it was early in the season , they had their pick of men , and obtained three French half-breeds , who furnished their own canoe and supplies . The boys ' canoe and duffel sacks had come up by freight .