noon
Never again would he steal the meat from a bait-peg . Two days later Le Beau saw where Miki had fought his fight with death in the snow and his heart was black with rage and disappointment . He began to follow the footprints of the dog . It was noon when he came to the windfall and saw the beaten path where Miki entered it . On his knees he peered into the cavernous depths -- and saw nothing . But Miki , lying watchfully , saw the man , and he was like the black , bearded monster who had almost killed him with a club a long time ago . And in his heart , too , there was disappointment , for away back in his memory of things there was always the thought of Challoner -- the master he had lost ; and it was never Challoner whom he found when he came upon the man smell .