four in the afternoon
Of course the other boys were deeply interested in what Jack had to tell . They stopped him many times to ask questions , under the belief that he was not going deeply enough into details . But finally the story was told . Toward four in the afternoon they began to realize that they were drawing near a large and busy city on the eastern shore . Boats could be seen upon the river , and cotton began to be in evidence everywhere . `` This is Memphis , all right , '' said Jack , as he looked through the glasses at the buildings on the high bank of the river . `` How long will we stay here ? ''