four in the
afternoon
The sick man was relieved . In a short time he fell into a deep sleep , which lasted for several hours . After this he awoke much refreshed , and having obtained some rice from the native chief , ate a little with relish . Next day they resumed their journey , and travelled till four in the afternoon , when the fit of ague prostrated Tom for a couple of hours , as it had been in the habit of doing regularly at the same hour for some time past , leaving him in a very exhausted state of body , and much depressed in spirits . In the course of a week , however , this extreme depression passed away , and he managed to get along ; painfully , it is true , but creditably . They were fortunate enough , soon after , to meet with a trader , from whom our hero purchased two stout horses , and thenceforward the journey became more agreeable -- at least Tom 's returning strength enabled him to enjoy it ; for it could not be said that the fatigues or privations of the way had decreased ; on the contrary , in some respects they had increased considerably . One day , while Tom was ambling along the margin of a belt of thick wood , with his sable guide riding in advance , he came suddenly in sight of a herd of giraffes .