four o'clock
Alvez , of course , had taken good care to conceal the origin of this exceptional lot , and their own ignorance of the language thoroughly prevented them from communicating it ; but the anxiety to secure so valuable a property rendered the competition for it very keen ; the bidding rose higher and higher , until at length the four men were knocked down to a rich Arab dealer , who purposed in the course of a few days to take them to Lake Tanganyika , and thence to one of the deptôs of Zanzibar . This journey , it is true , would be for 1500 miles across the most unhealthy parts of Central Africa , through districts harassed by internal wars ; and it seemed improbable that Tom could survive the hardships he must meet ; like poor old Nan , he would succumb to fatigue ; but the brave fellows did not suffer themselves to fear the future , they were only too happy to be still together ; and the chain that bound them one to another was felt to be easier and lighter to bear . Their new master knew that it was for his own interest that his purchase should be well taken care of ; he looked to make a substantial profit at Zanzibar , and sent them off at once to his own private barracks ; consequently they saw no more of what transpired at Kazonndé . The afternoon was passing away , and it was now past four o'clock , when the sound of drums , cymbals , and a variety of native instruments was heard at the end of the main thoroughfare . The market was still going on with the same animation as before ; half a day 's screeching and fighting seemed neither to have wearied the voices nor broken the limbs of the demoniacal traffickers ; there was a considerable number of slaves still to be disposed of , and the dealers were haggling over the remaining lots with an excitement of which a sudden panic on the London Stock Exchange could give a very inadequate conception . But the discordant concert which suddenly broke upon the ear was the signal for business to be at once suspended . The crowd might cease its uproar , and recover its breath .