eleven o'clock
I say an open space , for it was as large as two city blocks ; but it was as though it had been dug out of the mountains by an enormous cheese scoop , for on all sides sheer , vertical walls of rock ascended , so high that the light of day filtered down only dimly . A swift river , issuing from the base of one of these stupendous cliffs , ran across the opening and disappeared into a cave upon the other side . I glanced at my watch . It seemed that I had been travelling for an interminable time , but it was barely eleven o'clock . I sat down to eat , and the thought occurred to me that this would make a good camping place , if necessary , for it was quite warm at such a depth below the surface of the hills , and my fur coat had begun to feel oppressive . I felt drowsy , too , and somehow , before I was aware of any fatigue , I was asleep . That was a lucky thing , for I was not destined to sleep much the following night .